Japan aquaculture company sets up in Tasmania to raise sea urchins

Big goals: Slow 'sea desertification,' create jobs and export a seafood delicacy

Kita-Sanriku Factory has spent about seven years developing a feed mix that can regenerate "skinny" sea urchins into fat ones. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)

RURIKA IMAHASHI, Nikkei staff writer

January 11, 2025 16:10 JST

SYDNEY -- A Japanese company is applying its regenerative aquaculture technology to raising sea urchins in a bid to export the roe from Tasmania, the southernmost island state of Australia.

The sea urchin farm is expected to have environmental benefits, from reducing emissions that cause global warming to easing "sea desertification" brought on by rising sea temperatures.