Providing the seafood industry with urchin roe while rehabilitating lost kelp forests
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.
Notable Achievements
- Closing EUR 5M fundraise with ENEOS, Japan´s largest energy company and Lukas Walton´s Builders Vision
- Secured the world´s first voluntary blue carbon credit from wild kelp restoration
- Launching the world's first commercial scale urchin ranch in Oita Prefecture, Japan in April 2021
Currently Operating in Four Regions
Press Mentions
May 6, 2024
The significance of Japan’s blue carbon calculations
Japan's new blue carbon calculations aim to include seagrass and seaweed in their carbon offsetting efforts. This move is significant as it recognizes the importance of these marine ecosystems in...
Read on The Fish Site »January 30, 2023
Cadman Capital Group acquires strategic stake in North Holland-based Urchinomics
Cadman Capital Group, an independent private equity investment firm has bought a strategic equity stake in North Holland-based Urchinomics.
Read on Silicon Canals »September 9, 2021
These urchin slayers are trying to save California’s underwater 'rainforest'
‘Zombie’ purple urchins have obliterated West Coast kelp forests. Can they be stopped?
Read on Grist »More Ventures in Energy & Environment
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