National Prawn steps steady foot in aquaculture field

After 3 years of research and development the most outstanding issue is the achievement of a biological cycle of sea cucumber in harvest conditions, therefore we can say that the company has ensured the sustainability of this business.

In Saudi Arabia a one of its kind project is growing and investing in technology and research. The Sea Cucumber is an excellent example on this effort and comes with high expectations. 90 tons of Holothuria Scabra, known as sea cucumber, is expected to be harvested within the first year.

This huge success took place after overcoming a long process of investigation, development and careful monitoring. NPC workers have put their hearts and set their minds and determination on this project which will guarantee a sustainable marine base production (Marine culture) to fulfill market's needs and maintain a balanced marine life.

Pointing out this achievement, Engineer Ahmad R. Al-Ballaa, Managing Director of NPC and board chairman of Saudi Aquaculture Society, said, "We own the pride of achieving such a big project which is one of its kind in the region. It has consumed more than 3 years of constant researching and experimenting carried by a team of professionals in the field of aquaculture. Thanks God for this additional achievement added to our series of the like in this domain."

He adds, "Our first steps and achievements on this long path were the ones towards a successful shrimp project which are followed by the fish projects that are getting thumbs up worldwide. An additional milestone in this journey in the Saudi land known for its fertile nature would be the Sea Cucumber brood stock's ability to lay its eggs, producing herewith 23 million larvae. This will ensure availability of a stock for coming years of wild mothers, which are belonging to the different strains that has been collected from different places in coasts of KSA."

In the same context, Manager of sea cucumber project, Mr. Mario Umundab, said, "Breeding Sea Cucumber in such high saline water and a very hot environment was never an easy task. Attentive monitoring on a daily basis for three consecutive years was a mandatory task that played a major role in guaranteeing its survival. It was a major reward for quite a hardworking and sacrificing team that has set a sustainable marine life development as one of its main goals."

Sea cucumber products are not known by Saudi society, in spite of its various medical and environmental benefits. It is not traded in the local market yet, and that is why the company is currently targeting the international markets with their increasing demand for sea cucumber, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore and much more.

As for its environmental benefit, an adult Sea Cucumber is capable of cleaning/purifying 4 tons of sand each year as whirling the sand to find its daily supply of food is its natural way of hunting and survival, which in turn is the best way to purify the sand and facilitating its process of getting rid of organic residues. Its twirling and daily journey of food hunting maintains a balanced PH rate in seawater and plays a vital role in separating petroleum waste, gathering it in small dumplings that descend to the sea core.