Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR)

The demonstration site aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating native sea cucumbers (Holothuria tubulosa and H. mammata) beneath mussel farms as a nature-based solution for remediating organically enriched sediments. Situated in the NW Thermaikos Gulf, the pilot system mimics natural seabed conditions using a stainless-steel farming frame and sediment-filled baskets, allowing for controlled monitoring of sediment quality, holothurian growth, and survival. This integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) approach seeks to enhance the ecological sustainability of mussel farming by promoting nutrient recycling, improving sediment quality, and reducing the environmental footprint of aquaculture. The site also serves as a proof-of-concept for low-cost, scalable habitat restoration, supporting the development of monitoring protocols, fostering stakeholder engagement, and informing broader adoption of IMTA practices across Mediterranean aquaculture zones.