Water Today: Pioneering aquaculture venture, Urchinomics is restoring ocean habitats and creating sustainable food production on a global scale
Commonly referred to as the “lungs of the ocean” because of their ability to sequester carbon, ocean kelp forests are responsible for a healthy ocean ecosystem. In many parts of the world, the release of unprecedented amounts of carbon into our air and sea; the cumulative impact of global warming; ocean acidification; and overfishing have created the perfect storm for the humble sea urchin to reproduce unhindered. The main menu for sea urchins? Kelp.
After overgrazing on the kelp forests, a near lifeless, empty, barren desert is left void of shelter and breeding grounds for fish. The now starving urchins draw down on their energy reserves stored in their roe sacs. With little or no roe, they become unattractive to predators...and humans.