A remarkable discovery of a vast undersea nursery housing billions of baby sea cucumbers near Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, is providing valuable insights into the species, potentially opening up new economic opportunities for the Arctic community.
Lucassie Arragutainaq, the manager of the Sanikiluaq Hunters and Trappers Association, mentioned that his community regularly consumes small, young sea cucumbers, while considering the potential of trading larger adult sea cucumbers with markets in China and Japan.
In an effort to explore the inclusion of sea cucumbers in commercial activities such as scallop fisheries, the association collaborated with scientists from Memorial University in Newfoundland in 2018. Led by Annie Mercier, a professor in the university’s ocean sciences department, the team, with guidance from local residents, unearthed the nursery in the subsequent year.
Mercier expressed excitement over the discovery, emphasizing the scarcity of knowledge regarding sea cucumber nurseries globally due to their elusive nature. She and her team detailed their findings in a 2023 article published in the journal Polar Science, marking the first identification of a nursery for the Cucumaria frondosa species near Sanikiluaq.
The baby sea cucumbers, measuring less than two millimeters and resembling tiny pink specks on rocks and mussel shells, are different from adult sea cucumbers found in deeper waters. According to Mercier, the nursery spans the Belcher Islands archipelago’s coastline, situated between one to three meters below the ocean surface.
The discovery has opened up avenues for further research, allowing insights into the growth and behaviors of these sea cucumbers, essential for effective species management.
During a research trip to Sanikiluaq, Joséphine Pierrat, a postdoctoral researcher, highlighted the abundance of baby sea cucumbers, showcasing their presence in the local environment. The community actively participates in data collection, enabling researchers to study and analyze the sea cucumber populations for future management strategies.
The Sanikiluaq community aims to leverage this data to advocate for a commercial fishery, potentially integrating sea cucumbers into their existing scallop fishing endeavors. Despite the regulatory complexities, community members are optimistic about the economic prospects a sea cucumber fishery could bring, generating employment opportunities and fostering sustainable practices.
By gradually developing a carefully managed fishery, the community hopes to avoid the depletion seen in many sea cucumber fisheries worldwide. The potential dual market for processed adult sea cucumbers and locally consumed younger specimens offers a promising opportunity for economic growth and sustainability.
In conclusion, the newfound undersea nursery not only sheds light on the mysterious world of sea cucumbers but also holds promise for the economic development and sustainability of the Sanikiluaq community.