01 / PURPOSE
A resource under pressure
Sea cucumber extraction has raised concerns about the condition of wild populations. Responsible aquaculture may complement—not immediately replace—fisheries management and conservation.
MIPEZ · Marine aquaculture · Yucatán, Mexico
Cultivating the future of the sea cucumber.
Help us develop and validate a responsible cultivation model for Holothuria floridana in Yucatán. Applied science, a monitored pilot, and a traceable alternative that can complement pressure on wild populations.
Target species: Holothuria floridanaPilot bottom-cage cultivationRía Lagartos · Yucatán, Mexico
Explore the campaign ↓The full technical foundation remains availableCampaign in preparation · The Kickstarter page will be linked once the campaign is approved and live.
01 / MIPEZ MISSION
An extraordinary marine animal. An opportunity to research a better way to grow.
MIPEZ aims to move existing scientific findings into the next stage: a carefully monitored pilot to test juvenile grow-out in real coastal conditions, with biosecurity, traceability and environmental assessment built in.
02 / PURPOSE
Science before scale
We build on research conducted in Ría Lagartos with Holothuria floridana. The next step is to validate repeatability, survival, growth and seasonal management before considering expansion.
03 / PURPOSE
Traceability from day one
The project prioritizes legally sourced and authorized animals, batch records, movement controls and permits. No unauthorized juvenile collection or release into the wild is proposed.
02 / RESEARCH FOUNDATION
We are not starting from zero.
A master's thesis at Cinvestav Mérida evaluated Holothuria floridana juveniles in bottom cages for 104 days in a mangrove channel at Ría Lagartos. Its findings provide a local experimental basis for designing the next pilot.
EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE
A local evidence base for the next step.
104days of evaluation
9experimental 1 m² cages
10 / 15 / 30individuals per m² tested
90%reported average survival at 10 ind/m²
These figures belong to the cited academic experiment. They are not a guarantee of future results or a commercial forecast. The MIPEZ pilot must repeat and extend the trials.
Study species: Holothuria floridana. The results are presented as scientific background, not as a performance promise.
03 / THE PILOT
What your support will make possible
The campaign is intended to fund the transition from experimental evidence to a documented pilot. Final scope depends on the published budget, permits, lawful juvenile availability and site conditions.
PHASE 01
Preparation and permits
Site characterization, regulatory review, biosecurity protocols and technical partnerships.
PHASE 02
Pilot infrastructure
Fabrication and deployment of cages, anchoring systems, protective materials and monitoring equipment.
PHASE 03
Controlled stocking
Sourcing or producing juveniles only through legal, authorized channels; acclimation, identification and batch records.
PHASE 04
Monitoring and learning
Tracking survival, growth, density, sediment, temperature, salinity, turbidity and associated fauna.
PHASE 05
Public reporting
Sharing methods, progress, results and lessons—including negative results and necessary changes.
PLANNING ALLOCATION
How funds will be used
The final allocation will be published with the Kickstarter budget. The planning categories are:
◈ Pilot cage infrastructure and materials
◈ Lawful juvenile sourcing, transport and acclimation
◈ Instrumentation, sampling and environmental monitoring
◈ Biosecurity, permits, insurance and compliance
◈ Documentation, communications and backer rewards
We will not publish percentages or a funding target until supplier quotations and the final campaign budget are verified.
04 / BACKER REWARDS
Rewards for the people who make MIPEZ possible
Proposed rewards are educational and recognition-based. They do not promise seafood, financial participation or returns. Final tiers will be confirmed on Kickstarter before launch.
Ocean Explorer
Digital project updates and a thank-you on the backers' wall.
MIPEZ Field Journal
Everything above, plus an illustrated digital field journal about the species, site and cultivation process.
Science Ally
Everything above, plus an invitation to a virtual project-results briefing and special founding-supporter recognition.
Founding Circle
Everything above, plus a digital pilot closing report and a Q&A session with the technical team.
The full technical foundation remains available
Explore the biological approach, experimental design, environmental parameters, thesis results and management recommendations behind this proposal.
05 / FAQ & ACCOUNTABILITY
Transparency before promises
Trust starts by distinguishing research, a pilot and any future commercial operation.
Is the Kickstarter campaign live?
Not yet. This is the campaign presentation and preparation page. A pledge button will be enabled once the actual campaign has been approved and published on Kickstarter.
Which species is being considered?
The current technical project focuses on Holothuria floridana, studied in Ría Lagartos, Yucatán. Pilot animals will be selected and sourced only after scientific review, lawful-origin verification and applicable authorizations.
Will wild sea cucumbers be collected?
No unauthorized capture or collection is proposed. Broodstock or juveniles must be obtained through a legal, documented route consistent with conservation and fisheries rules.
Is commercial production or export guaranteed?
No. The campaign supports applied research and pilot validation, not a guaranteed commercial harvest. Production feasibility and any future sales depend on results, permits, animal health and traceability.
What if the site or method does not work?
Findings will be reported transparently. The project may adjust stocking density, structures, season or site, or stop if environmental or regulatory risks cannot be mitigated.
How will backers be recognized?
Final rewards and delivery estimates will appear on the official campaign. Digital rewards do not depend on harvest or biological success.
MIPEZ · YUCATÁN, MEXICO
Help turn local research into useful knowledge for the future of aquaculture.
Follow MIPEZ as it develops and share this initiative with people interested in marine science, conservation and responsible production.
Kickstarter: coming soonMIPEZ is a project in preparation. This page is not an active crowdfunding campaign or an offer of seafood products. Pilot execution is conditional on permits, lawful animal sourcing and environmental validation. No illegal extraction or release of cultured animals is promoted.