A remarkable discovery of a vast nursery housing billions of young sea cucumbers has been made near Sanikiluaq, Nunavut. This finding not only enhances researchers’ knowledge of the species but also holds the potential to bring economic benefits to the Arctic community in the future.
Lucassie Arragutainaq, the manager of the Sanikiluaq Hunters and Trappers Association, mentioned that while the community consumes small sea cucumbers regularly, the larger adult ones could be marketed to countries like China and Japan.
The association, considering incorporating the species into plans for a commercial scallop fishery, collaborated with scientists from Memorial University in Newfoundland in 2018 to study the Orange-footed sea cucumber, scientifically known as Cucumaria frondosa. The following year, guided by residents, Annie Mercier, a professor at the university’s department of ocean sciences, and her team discovered the nursery.
According to Mercier, who described the find as the first of its kind, sea cucumbers are cryptic creatures, making their nursery grounds poorly understood worldwide. The baby sea cucumbers, less than two millimeters long, were found near the surface on rocks and mussel shells, while the adults dwell deeper in the ocean.
The extensive nursery, stretching along the Belcher Islands archipelago’s coastline, lies between one to three meters below the ocean’s surface. This discovery has opened up new research avenues to understand the growth and behaviors of young sea cucumbers, which is crucial for species management.
During a research trip to Sanikiluaq, postdoctoral researcher Joséphine Pierrat pointed out the abundance of baby sea cucumbers, less than four months old, among the rocks and mussels collected. The researchers, including Pierrat, studied samples at the Qikitait Centre, a facility shared by the Sanikiluaq Hunters and Trappers Association and the Arctic Eider Society.
The community’s collaboration with researchers is vital for gathering data to support their case for a commercial fishery. Arragutainaq mentioned the community’s interest in diversifying its fisheries, including considering adding sea cucumbers, which could create employment opportunities.
Pierrat highlighted the potential of a dual market strategy, with adult sea cucumbers processed for export and younger ones consumed locally. Arragutainaq shared that sea cucumbers can be enjoyed raw or roasted, describing them as crunchy and salty. This initiative is seen as a new learning opportunity for the community, presenting a promising food source and economic prospect.