Scientists hope a new pilot project will show that a sustainable, spiny seafood could be British Columbia’s next big export.
Researchers brought about 3,000 adult sea urchins gathered from B.C. waters to a farm off the coast of Nanaimo to kick off a 12-week trial on Friday.
The project aims to create a new sustainable sea urchin aquaculture – a first for Canada.
“We’re hoping to develop a new industry that will incorporate native species, green and red sea urchins, and one that would be valuable,” said Chris Pearce, a research scientist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Scientists are hopeful they can add value to the sea creatures by fattening them up within three months. Urchins currently sell at market value for about $22 per kilogram
“What we’re most interested with the current project is looking at roe enhancement which is increasing the gonads, or the reproductive material, in the sea urchins, which is what is eaten by humans,” said Pearce.
Experts will be employing a strategy used in Norway by feeding the urchins inside mesh trays designed to maximize flow and keep food pellets inside.
“It would be a major export over to Asia, Japan mostly, although hopefully we could develop some smaller-scale markets within B.C.,” said Pearce.
The owner of Nori Sushi in Nanaimo says few restaurants here sell the delicacy, but hopes farming urchins might reduce costs and increase demand.
“Maybe probably less than 10 per cent of our clients look for sea urchins,” said John Lim.
In the meantime, scientists will be monitoring the environmental impacts of this new breed of farming.
If all goes well, Canada could birth a brand new commercial sea urchin industry, complete with a new role in the world market.
With a report from CTV Vancouver Island's Jessica Lepp
