Tag Archives: Sea Urchin
Green Gold Rush: What happened to Maine’s once-robust sea urchin industry?
In the United States’ easternmost city, you’ll find Paul Cox and his crew working early on the water. In late winter, they’re after a spikey, green, and otherwise inedible sea creature (besides the gonads): the green sea urchin. Alone and in often murky water that requires a flashlight, he scoops hundreds of pounds of sea urchin into yellow nets. His crew, Paul and Jevin, sort the urchin above water. Cox said he started to dive for sea urchin in the ’90s, not long before the state cut off any new licenses 
to prospective fishermen. After the ’90s, no one could get a new sea urchin license. Now everyone who dives for urchin is in their 60s and 70s, with little hope on the horizon for new licenses seeing how the sea urchin has lost so much of its habitat because of climate change and invasive species. Photos,Video, >click to read< 10:54
“Sea Otters To End West Coast Fishing” Huh! fishermen need to suck it up and “find another job?
For decades, Julie Packard has spearheaded a campaign to curtail fishing under the guise of “conservation.” As this campaign has evolved, it has become a tale of precaution. The campaign started as a need to save the sea otter. Did otters really need “saving?” That is entirely debatable, and was, extensively. The result was clearly non-scientific and summarized as a “choice” between fishing or sea otters. Friends Of The Sea Otter shill Steve Schmeck was quoted saying fishermen need to suck it up and “find another job.” The California urchin divers took issue and were represented by Pacific Legal Foundation in litigation. USFWS cited inability to manage the otter population. The result was USFWS having zero oversight and getting away with lying and breaking the law.,,, Fast forward to today: The Monterey Bay Aquarium & Julie Packard have infiltrated the government and the economic chain. The money, influence and placement of persons in nonprofits, universities and government positions has created an oligarchy and a serious ethics problem. This is a big read with links and information from California Sea Urchin Diver Jeff Crumley. > Click to read< 22:01
Six pilot studies test sea urchin farming in Canada
Federal scientists and others are exploring the possibility of sea urchin farming in Canada, with at least six pilot studies using Norwegian technology that proponents hope will turn “zombie” urchins which can denude kelp beds into profitable seafood. The first of the studies, conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, is expected to start next week in waters off Vancouver Island, with others planned for Newfoundland, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Wild urchins are harvested in B.C. and elsewhere, but aren’t farmed commercially anywhere in Canada — yet. But the efforts to birth a new aquaculture industry are already running into questions about the ecological cost. Read the story here 09:11
Sea urchin, or uni, is a popular B.C. delicacy — but not in B.C.
As the weather turns colder, some of the most prized sea urchin in the world is being caught right now off the coast of B.C. The spiny creatures are treasured in Japan, where Canada will export much of the haul. There, sea urchin is called “uni,” and is considered a delicacy. “The thing with buying live sea urchin is you never know what’s inside,” said Janice Yu, owner of Fresh Ideas Start Here fish shop in Burnaby. “That’s why we try and pick the best boats with the best divers who know where to pick these sea urchins.” Read the rest here 11:25
ODFW seeks new members for Fishery Permit Review Board
The permit review board evaluates limited entry permit denials made by ODFW and considers requests for permit transfers for the following commercial fisheries: sea urchin, roe herring, Columbia River gillnet salmon, ocean troll salmon, ocean shrimp/scallop, ocean crab, sardine, bay clam dive, brine shrimp, blue and black rockfish and nearshore fisheries. Read more here 16:17
The Great Sea Urchin Crisis – “They’re completely dying off,”
Tye Zinck chips the ice off his scuba mask, yells a warrior cry and lunges off the boat. Until he can slow his gasping, he floats atop the 40 degree water, the wind of Sambro Cove, Nove Scotia, biting at his ears. The seams of his dry suit are so thick that it looks inside out. Read more here 11:56
