Urchinomics

What’s the Deal with Urchins? Urchins play a critical role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems, but when they overpopulate, they can devastate kelp forests. The good news? Eating sustainably farmed urchins (uni) helps restore balance to our oceans by allowing the re-growth of kelp forests! 🌊 By enjoying farmed uni, you're not only indulging in a tasty delicacy but also contributing to marine restoration efforts. 🌱

🌿 Did you know that kelp forests absorb more CO² per m² than terrestrial forests?! These underwater heroes play a crucial role in fighting climate change, which is why restoring them matters more than ever. 🌍

Meet Dr. Nik Sachlikidis – Chief Scientific & Technology Officer at Urchinomics 🦪 With 25+ years in aquaculture, Nik is a globally recognized expert in sustainable seafood and marine conservation. At Urchinomics, he’s helping to develop solutions that make it possible to manage urchin populations effectively while supporting ocean health. Nik’s work includes creating practical systems for sustainable urchin ranching, which support our mission to protect marine ecosystems and contribute to a more sustainable seafood supply. 🌍

Supporting local communities is central to our work 🌍 The Urchinomics model helps create jobs and strengthen economic activity in coastal regions, many of which are heavily reliant on marine resources. By working with local fisherman and communities, we aim to bolster sustainable livelihoods that are deeply connected to ocean conservation efforts. 💙

Rather than simply removing or culling malnourished urchins, Urchinomics converts these otherwise inedible urchins into premium seafood 🍣 By feeding them a nutrient-rich diet in special farms (known as ranches), we allow them to grow their prized uni that will then be sold to premium sushi restaurants. This creates a circular economy where ecological restoration and delicious seafood production go hand in hand. Below you can see a before versus after of a malnourished urchin to fully formed uni!

Kelp forests are some of the most fertile feeding and breeding grounds for fish, but they need our help! They are currently disappearing four times faster than rainforests. By removing skinny urchins as part of the Urchinomics process, we can help restore kelp up to 18” (45cm) per day! 🌿#helpthekelp

To create our finest quality uni, first we remove skinny urchins from the ocean floor and bring them on land where they are fed-up in our carefully monitored tanks to help them develop their prized roe. In around 10 weeks, these sea urchins are harvested, processed, and prepared as premium uni, making their way to high-end restaurants around the world. Our sustainable approach ensures that every bite of uni you enjoy supports healthier oceans. 🦀🍣

Meet Perry Bevin, Co-CEO of Urchinomics! Perry brings 30 years of success in high-level leadership roles and since Perry joined Urchinomics in February 2023, he has brought his knowledge of how to scale a global business to Urchinomics. With a passion for sustainability and a strong focus on restorative aquaculture, Perry is dedicated to transforming the way we look at sea urchin overpopulation. We’re proud to have his leadership as we work together to rebuild our oceans. Find out more about the team here: https://loom.ly/re3HU1M

Why is the way we do urchin farming amazing? Urchinomics tackles the overpopulation of sea urchins, by removing these urchins in barren environments (where they have little to no food). This not only reduces harmful urchin populations but also allows kelp forests to regenerate. 🌿 These kelp forests are crucial to marine ecosystems, acting as habitats for countless species and helping to sequester carbon, which aids in the fight against climate change 💪

2024 has brought Urchinomics achievements galore! This year alone, we’ve announced groundbreaking partnerships with both NYK Line and FOOD & LIFE COMPANIES LTD. / Sushiro in Japan. And in New Zealand, we appointed Maru Samuels as new in-country lead & Mawae Morton as Senior Advisor for Aotearoa. Both leaders bring a wealth of experience in sustainable aquaculture and the seafood industry, and we’re so pleased to collaborate on our mission with them both. These new collaborations will help to further our mission to restore kelp forests, revitalize coastal communities and fisheries, and combat climate change. We can’t wait for all the exciting achievements that that 2025 will bring. 📸 Photos show: 1️⃣Giles Cadman with Shinichi Yanagisawa, Executive Officer of NYK 2️⃣Maru Samuels 3️⃣Mawae Morton