Urchin aquaculture company forges new alliances

A company dedicated to restorative aquaculture through “ranching” sea urchins has announced deals with a major capital investor and the owners of one of Japan’s leading sushi chains.

Urchinomics was created to address the problem of growing urchin populations, which are turning kelp forests into “urchin barrens”. Its solution is to remove the urchins and farm them in less problematic locations, enabling the kelp to recover while producing a delicacy that is prized across many Asian countries. Uni, often known as sea urchin “roe” although it is actually the urchin’s reproductive organs rather than eggs, is a particularly popular product.

Yesterday Verdant Bloom, the parent company of Urchinomics, signed an agreement with Japanese shipping and logistics group NYK which will see NYK investing an undisclosed amount of capital in the aquaculture business.

At the same time, Urchinomics has also announced a collaboration deal with Food & Life Companies Ltd, which operates more than 1,100 restaurants under the brands “Sushiro,” “Kyotaru,” “Sushi Misaki,” and “Sugitama” in nine countries and regions, including Japan.

The partnership aims to create a stable supply of high-quality, domestically farmed sea urchins, while contributing to the conservation of blue carbon ecosystems.

Urchin barren (photo: Urchinomics)

Koichi Mizutome, President and CEO of F&LC said: “Through collaboration with Urchinomics, I hope we will be able to establish planned manufacture and a secure stable procurement base of sea urchins, which we previously had to rely on wild catch. Also I have high hopes to cause positive effects of restoring kelp forests, through effective use of natural resources by utilizing barren urchins which has been difficult to consume as food. Together, we would like to challenge the important task of sustainably securing marine resources, for the future of Japan and the world.”

Giles Cadman, Verdant Bloom Chairman and CEO said: “Partnering with Food & Life Companies Ltd. marks a significant step forward for Urchinomics.

“This is more than just an off-take agreement and capital investment; together, we are poised to restore marine ecosystems and establish a reliable supply of high-quality uni [sea urchin roe] in a market which is starved of supply. This collaboration highlights the importance of our shared goal to combat coastal degradation and support sustainable seafood production. I am deeply grateful for F&LC’s shared vision and commitment to our shared mission.”

Shinichi Yanagisawa (NYK, left) & Giles Cadman of Urchinomics

Meanwhile, commenting on the investment from NYK, Perry Bevin, CEO of Urchinomics, said: “This collaboration with NYK is a game-changer for Urchinomics. It validates our innovative approach to marine restoration and sustainable aquaculture. With NYK’s support, we can significantly scale our efforts to restore kelp forests and make a meaningful impact on climate change. Working with partners who share our vision for nature-based solutions is essential for achieving our goals.”

Shinichi Yanagisawa, NYK Executive Officer, said: “Through this investment in Urchinomics, NYK would like to vigorously pursue solutions to the social issue of rocky-shore denudation and the new challenge of creating blue-carbon credits. The NYK Group continues to seek opportunities to add value to its corporate activities.”