Lynne Davies
Spine length and roe quality as indicators of growth in the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis
Advisor: Amy Johnson
In 2001, sea urchin fisheries were the fourth largest in Maine behind lobster, aquacultured Atlantic salmon, and soft shell clams (Department of Maine Resources, 2001). The green sea urchin became a popular marine organism to harvest because the roe, or gonads of the urchin, are an edible delicacy in Japan. Fishermen first observed that long spined urchins produced low qualty roe, while short spined urchins produced high quality roe. Results acquired in the summer of 2002 suggest that the fishermen's observations may be correct. In addition, urchin aquaculturists discovered that feeding wild caught urchins with the right diet not only increased their gonad index, but that quality measured in terms of color, firmness and taste, also improved. Ms. Davies will survey size specific gonad growth in urchins raised on two commercially available diet treatments. Gonad index, size, firmness and taste will be assayed as well as weight change and spine length. Also, flow tank experiments will be performed to determine if long spines correlate with an altered ability of urchins to filter food and to adhere to the substratum.
Sources
Department of Marine Resources. "Commercial Fishery Landings." 2001. 27 Feb. 2003. http://www.state.me.us/dmr/aquaculture