Sea Urchin Roe

Sea Urchin Roe is better known to sushi lovers as “Uni”, whilst the French call their Mediterranean delicacy “Oursin”.

It is probably one of the highest value fish roe products and sits in second place behind caviar. The reason is simple - urchins tend to be small, especially those favoured by the gourmets. They come into season occasionally, they must be collected by hand underwater by divers, they are tricky to properly process, and lastly they must be rushed to market, usually by refrigerated airfreight.

There are a range of sea urchins which are considered excellent roe producers. The mature adults range in size from 3-20 centimetres in diameter. Urchins are now known to live to a ripe old age if they don’t become uni on a sushi table or breakfast for a sea otter- their main natural predator. Urchins are important underwater grazers- they mow the underwater lawns- sea weed and other organisms that settle out of the plankton. They are famous for their spines, which are a deterrent to fish who also love to eat the inside of urchins.

Wild Sea Urchins are gathered widely- some of the largest fisheries are up along the Eastern Pacific shore line from California north to Alaska. The main market is for sushi and for that reason most ends up in the Tokyo fish market.

Farming of Sea Urchins, is now being considered a future option- especially if they can be farmed alongside other species, which can benefit fom the presence of urchins. Growing them along with oysters is one option that would mean the urchins would keep the oysters and equipment well grazed, the oyster getting improved protection.

Several urchin suppliers offer mail order options.

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