A rare discovery of a vast undersea nursery housing billions of baby sea cucumbers close to Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, is aiding researchers in gaining deeper insights into the species. This find also holds potential economic prospects for the Arctic community in the future.
The Sanikiluaq Hunters and Trappers Association’s manager, Lucassie Arragutainaq, mentioned that the community regularly consumes small, young sea cucumbers. However, there is interest in exploring the commercial potential of selling bigger adult sea cucumbers to markets in China and Japan.
In 2018, the association collaborated with scientists from Memorial University in Newfoundland to investigate the Orange-footed sea cucumber, scientifically known as Cucumaria frondosa, for potential inclusion in commercial scallop fishery plans. During their expedition, led by Annie Mercier, a professor at the university’s ocean sciences department, the team discovered the nursery in the following year with the help of local residents.
According to Mercier, the nursery, documented in a 2023 article published in Polar Science, represents the first known nursery of Cucumaria frondosa. These baby sea cucumbers, measuring less than two millimeters in length, are found near the surface on rocks and mussel shells, contrasting with adult sea cucumbers that dwell in deeper ocean waters.
Describing the nursery as expansive and possibly stretching across the Belcher Islands archipelago’s coastline, Mercier highlighted the importance of this find for further research on the species’ growth patterns and behaviors, essential for effective species management.
During a research trip to Sanikiluaq, Joséphine Pierrat, a postdoctoral researcher, showcased the abundance of baby sea cucumbers, emphasizing their presence throughout the area. The ongoing research, conducted in collaboration with the local community, aims to collect data crucial for potential commercial fishery endeavors, including detailed measurements and dissections of sea cucumbers.
The Sanikiluaq community’s interest in establishing a commercial fishery for sea cucumbers aligns with their previous ventures into scallop fishing. The cautious approach, highlighted by Mercier, underscores the importance of sustainable management practices to prevent overexploitation, ensuring long-term viability.
In addition to the economic benefits, such a fishery could provide job opportunities for community members and offer a dual market approach, with adult sea cucumbers targeted for export after processing and drying, while younger sea cucumbers remain a local culinary delicacy, enjoyed raw or roasted for their unique taste and texture.
