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Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide

Sea Urchin Roe

SEAFOOD	RATING	MARKET NAMES	WHERE CAUGHT	HOW CAUGHT
Sea Urchin Roe		Uni	Canada	Wild-caught
Sea Urchin Roe		Uni	California	Wild-caught
Sea Urchin Roe		Uni	Maine	Wild-caught

Sea Urchin Roe

Red and green sea urchin is fished primarily for its gonads (reproductive organs) or “roe”. The healthiest and most abundant urchin populations are found in Canada.

Consumer Note

Urchin

roe is sold as uni when prepared for sushi. It's served in a variety of forms including raw; with rice; preserved in brine and alcohol and salt; and in casseroles.

Summary

Studies have shown that red sea urchins may live 50 or even 100 years! However, unlike some fishes or sharks with long life spans, urchins reproduce at a young age and a female might release several million eggs at a time.

Wild urchins are collected by hand by commercial divers. These fisheries are very environmentally friendly, with little impact on the habitat and little bycatch

of non-target species.

North American urchin populations vary widely coast to coast and most have been overfished. Over half of the roe consumed in the U.S. comes from urchins caught in California. The remaining half is split equally between Maine and Canada.

It’s important to know where your urchin roe comes from. Roe from Canada is a “Best Choice,” roe from California is a “Good Alternative” and roe from Maine is rated “Avoid.”

Scientific Reports About Our Ratings

Sea Urchin (uni) Seafood Watch Report

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