A unique discovery of a sea cucumber nursery with billions of young sea cucumbers has been made near Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, aiding researchers in gaining insights into the species and potentially creating economic opportunities for the Arctic community.
The Sanikiluaq Hunters and Trappers Association, led by Lucassie Arragutainaq, noted that while the community consumes small sea cucumbers regularly, the larger adult sea cucumbers could be exported to markets in China and Japan. Considering the prospect of integrating the species into plans for a commercial scallop fishery, the association enlisted scientists from Memorial University in Newfoundland to investigate the Orange-footed sea cucumber, scientifically known as Cucumaria frondosa, in 2018.
An expedition guided by Annie Mercier, a professor at the university’s ocean sciences department, along with community members, resulted in the discovery of the nursery the following year, much to the community’s surprise.
Mercier expressed excitement over the find, highlighting the scarcity of knowledge about sea cucumber nursery grounds globally due to their elusive nature. She and her team documented the discovery in a 2023 article published in the peer-reviewed journal Polar Science, marking the first identification of a Cucumaria frondosa nursery.
The tiny baby sea cucumbers, measuring less than two millimeters, were found resembling pink specks on rocks and mussel shells near the surface, contrasting with the adults residing deeper in the ocean. Mercier described the extensive nursery, potentially spanning the entire Belcher Islands archipelago coastline, located one to three meters below the ocean surface.
The revelation of the nursery has opened avenues for further research, allowing for the exploration of growth rates, migration patterns, and behavioral changes in the young sea cucumbers, which are vital for species management.
During a recent research trip to Sanikiluaq, Joséphine Pierrat, a postdoctoral researcher at Memorial University, pointed out the abundance of baby sea cucumbers in a water-filled pail, emphasizing their ubiquitous presence. The research team, including Pierrat, conducted studies at the Qikitait Centre, a facility shared by the Sanikiluaq Hunters and Trappers Association and the Arctic Eider Society, focusing on data collection and analysis in collaboration with the community.
The association aims to utilize the gathered data to advocate for a commercial fishery with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, considering the potential addition of sea cucumbers to their existing scallop fishery plans. The gradual approach to development is essential to ensure sustainable management practices, as observed in other sea cucumber fisheries globally.
The implementation of a sea cucumber fishery could provide employment opportunities for the community, presenting a new avenue for economic growth. With the prospect of a dual market strategy, involving the sale of processed adult sea cucumbers to external markets and the local consumption of younger sea cucumbers, the community anticipates the benefits of this new venture.
Incorporating sea cucumbers into the local diet offers a novel culinary experience, with sea cucumbers being enjoyed raw or roasted for their crunchy and salty taste.