Urchinomics

Urchinomics is a blue carbon credit generating, restorative aquaculture venture that aims to turn an environmental challenge into a commercial, ecological and social opportunity. Overfishing of predatory species, climate change and pollution has allowed sea urchins to explode in population. Uncontrolled quantities of sea urchins overgraze kelp forests and seagrass meadows, turning once pristine and vibrant marine ecosystems into lifeless, barren deserts, or "Urchin barrens". Urchinomics specifically targets these ecologically destructive, empty sea urchins and re-homes them into their ranching systems, where they are converted from an ecological pest to premium sea urchin roe, or "uni". And by removing them from the barrens, they help kelp forests recover to their original healthy ecosystem.