Sea cucumber breeding research identifies key receptor for sustainable fisheries

University of the Sunshine Coast researchers discovered a relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide receptor in sea cucumbers that could improve hatchery management for depleted populations.

University of the Sunshine Coast researchers identified a relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide receptor in sea cucumbers, a finding published in *General and Comparative Endocrinology* (2026) with DOI 10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114987. Center for Bioinnovation Ph.D. student Paul Wright led the work, which aims to refine hatchery broodstock selection and spawning timing for sustainable fisheries. Sea cucumbers—overfished globally for culinary and medicinal use—play critical roles in marine ecosystems by recycling nutrients and mixing seabed sediment. Their external gender identity complicates sexing without internal examination, a challenge this research addresses. The study’s potential lies in enabling more precise population recovery through improved breeding cycles. However, effective restoration requires complementary actions: habitat protection and coordinated fishery management. This research alone does not resolve overfishing impacts. What matters next is whether the findings translate into practical hatchery protocols that align with existing conservation efforts. Without those, sea cucumber fisheries—vital for food security in coastal communities—remain vulnerable to collapse.

Source: Phys.org