Carbon footprint of fresh sea cucumbers in China: Comparison of three aquaculture technologies

Facing China's strict greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction policy including the Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Goals, the GHG emissions from sea cucumber aquaculture have been attracting increasing attention. In order to promote the low-carbon development of marine aquaculture, this study provides a comparative evaluation of the carbon footprint of 1 t fresh sea cucumber production from cradle-to-gate based on three different aquaculture technologies: marine bottom-sowing aquaculture, marine cage aquaculture, and pond bottom-sowing aquaculture. The hotspots of GHG emissions at key stages of sea cucumber aquaculture are also analyzed. The results showed that the carbon footprint of 1 t of fresh sea cucumber production varies based on different aquaculture technologies, with marine bottom-sowing aquaculture technology having the highest carbon footprint at 6936.5 kg CO2eq, followed by marine cage aquaculture technology at 5148.7 kg CO2eq and pond bottom-sowing aquaculture technology at 2914.1 kg CO2eq. When comparing the GHG emissions of different stages, the growing seedling stage is the hotspot of marine bottom-sowing aquaculture technology, with the main sources of GHG emissions being electricity used for maintaining suitable water temperature and bait preparation. The hotspots of marine cage aquaculture technology and pond bottom-sowing aquaculture technology are both centered around the adult sea cucumber feeding stage, where bait consumption becomes the primary source of GHG emissions. Sensitivity analysis indicates that increasing seedling survival rates, reducing electricity consumption, and implementing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power can effectively mitigate the GHG emissions associated with sea cucumber aquaculture. •The sea cucumber farming industry faces the challenge of reducing GHG emissions.•There are three different kinds of cultivating technology for sea cucumbers in China.•The carbon footprint of sea cucumber farming has been assessed.•The carbon footprint of 1 t sea cucumbers ranges from 2914.1 to 6936.5 kg CO2eq.•Electricity and bait are main sources of GHG emissions in sea cucumber aquaculture.