Urchinomics
Urchinomics is an international organization that uses innovative aquaculture technology and targeted marketing strategies to remove ravenous sea urchins and sell them to the restaurant industry in order to restore kelp forests.
The organization prioritizes the restoration of kelp forests, which are brown algae, as a means to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and restore marine ecosystems.
They focus on removing empty sea urchins, which prevent kelp forests from growing. The sea urchins are then taken to their land-based facilities, fed with natural feed to grow, and sold to the food industry for consumption.
They also provide economic incentives to persuade fishermen to maintain constant fishing pressure on the urchins that are invading the kelp forests. Its business model contributes to carbon sequestration as well as creating employment for fishermen in rural and coastal communities.
How does Urchinomics conduct its operations? It collaborates with local fishermen, who systematically remove the urchin population from the kelp forests and relocate them into Urchinomics' ranching systems. When they are placed into the ranching systems, collected sea urchins are latched into sea cages and then fed with Laminaria Japonica or Japanese Kombu feed, which is 100% natural and doesn't contain any animal ingredients, soy, or antibiotics.
Sea urchins are harvested once they grow their roe within 6-10 weeks, and are then sold to distributors and restaurants globally. Urchinomics conducts its operations in several countries like the US, Japan, Canada, Norway, and the Netherlands. In 2017, Urchinomics won the "Minister of Fisheries Director’s Award" given by FIS.
It has formed a partnership with KK Oita Uni Farm to set up an urchin ranching operation near known urchin barrens in Japan. In addition, Urchinomics is also supported by the United Nations' Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) due to its ranching technology, which transforms harmful species into high-quality seafood, thus helping to restore kelp forests.
