A recently discovered undersea nursery teeming with billions of baby sea cucumbers near Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, is shedding light on the species and potentially opening up economic opportunities for the Arctic community. Lucassie Arragutainaq, the head of the Sanikiluaq Hunters and Trappers Association, mentioned that while the local community consumes young sea cucumbers regularly, the larger adult specimens could be exported to markets in China and Japan.
The association, intrigued by the prospect of integrating this species into plans for a commercial scallop fishery, collaborated with scientists from Memorial University in Newfoundland to study the Orange-footed sea cucumber, scientifically known as Cucumaria frondosa, in 2018. Led by Annie Mercier, a professor at the university’s ocean sciences department, the research team, with the guidance of Sanikiluaq residents, stumbled upon the nursery the following year, much to their excitement.
Mercier emphasized that there are approximately 1,800 sea cucumber species worldwide, with limited knowledge about their nursery grounds due to their elusive nature. In a groundbreaking discovery, Mercier and her team published a 2023 article in the Polar Science journal detailing the nursery near Sanikiluaq, marking the first identification of a Cucumaria frondosa nursery.
The nursery, spanning the Belcher Islands archipelago coastline, hosts baby sea cucumbers measuring less than two millimeters, resembling tiny pink specks on rocks and mussel shells near the surface. While adult sea cucumbers dwell deeper in the ocean, Mercier highlighted that the babies are found closer to the water’s surface, indicating a vast nursery expanse below.
Joséphine Pierrat, a postdoctoral researcher at Memorial’s ocean sciences department, showcased the abundance of baby sea cucumbers, pointing out their minuscule size and prevalence in the local waters. The research team, including Pierrat, collected samples for analysis back at the Qikitait Centre, a research facility shared by the Sanikiluaq Hunters and Trappers Association and the Arctic Eider Society.
The gathered data is crucial for the association’s efforts to petition the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for a commercial fishery license. Arragutainaq disclosed that the community initially explored a scallop fishery over a decade ago and is now contemplating the addition of sea cucumbers to the fishery operations, albeit acknowledging the lengthy regulatory process involved.
Mercier stressed the importance of sustainable management practices to prevent overexploitation, citing past instances where sea cucumber fisheries faced depletion and sustainability challenges globally. Arragutainaq envisioned a potential job market for residents through the fishery, emphasizing the need for community learning and the promising economic prospects associated with sea cucumbers.
Pierrat highlighted the dual market potential for sea cucumbers, with larger adults suitable for processing and export, while younger ones could cater to local consumption. Arragutainaq shared that sea cucumbers can be enjoyed raw or roasted, offering a crunchy and salty culinary experience.
