In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have uncovered a vast nursery housing billions of young sea cucumbers beneath the waters near Sanikiluaq, Nunavut. This finding not only enhances understanding of the species but also holds potential for economic opportunities for the Arctic community.
Sanikiluaq Hunters and Trappers Association’s manager, Lucassie Arragutainaq, revealed that while his community frequently consumes small sea cucumbers, there is a prospect to export the larger adult ones to lucrative markets in China and Japan. The association collaborated with scientists from Memorial University in Newfoundland in 2018 to investigate the Orange-footed sea cucumber, also known as Cucumaria frondosa, considering its integration into commercial scallop fishery plans.
Led by Annie Mercier, a professor at the university’s ocean sciences department, the team, with local guidance, stumbled upon the nursery the subsequent year, much to their excitement. Mercier emphasized the scarcity of knowledge regarding sea cucumber nurseries worldwide due to their elusive nature, making them challenging to locate.
Published in the peer-reviewed journal Polar Science, Mercier and her team documented their 2023 findings about the nursery near Sanikiluaq, marking the initial discovery of a Cucumaria frondosa nursery. The tiny sea cucumber offspring, less than two millimeters in length, appear as pink specks on rocks and mussel shells near the ocean surface, unlike the mature sea cucumbers found at greater depths.
Describing the nursery as vast, Mercier suggested it likely extends throughout the Belcher Islands archipelago’s coastline, positioned one to three meters below the ocean’s surface. This newfound information serves not only scientific curiosity but also aids in species management.
During a research trip to Sanikiluaq, postdoctoral researcher Joséphine Pierrat showcased the abundance of baby sea cucumbers, illustrating their presence and significance. The team’s study and analysis of collected samples, conducted at the Qikitait Centre, underscored the pivotal role of community involvement in data gathering and research collaboration.
With aspirations for a commercial fishery, the Sanikiluaq community, under Arragutainaq’s leadership, is exploring the addition of sea cucumbers to their existing scallop fishery plans. Despite anticipating a lengthy regulatory process, the community sees potential job creation and economic benefits from such endeavors.
Mercier stressed the importance of cautious management practices to ensure sustainability, citing global depletions and sustainability challenges in sea cucumber fisheries. Arragutainaq highlighted the dual market potential, envisioning processed adult sea cucumbers for export markets and locally consumed younger specimens.
Pierrat emphasized the versatility of sea cucumbers as a food source, suggesting that they can be enjoyed raw or roasted, offering a unique culinary experience. The community’s willingness to embrace this new opportunity reflects a proactive stance towards economic diversification and sustainable resource management.
