Development of Grow-out Techniques for Juvenile Green Sea Urchins

This SBIR Phase 2 project looks to develop and further refine the culture conditions to optimize the growth of juvenile green sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis), a commercial species not previously cultured as juveniles. We will develop an alternative technology for the New England fishery which now depends only on the harvest of wild urchins. Sea urchin roe is a delicacy in Japan that is the basis of a 250 million+ dollar fishery. Overfishing has devastated natural populations. To date, research and development of sea urchin aquaculture has had two foci: hatchery development, in which we at the Peacock hatchery have played a pivotal role, and roe enhancement of adults. These are certainly two very important stages of the life cycle of sea urchins. However, without bridging them through growout of juvenile sea urchins, sea urchin aquaculture will not become a reality. In Phase 2 of this project we will determine if diet affects the growth and mortality of grow-out of juvenile sea urchins to adult. We will also investigate if diet quality affects gonad development and roe quality in adults. We will also determine if land-based or near-shore grow-out of juvenile sea urchins is more cost-effective.