Assessing the potential of the unexploited South African Cape sea urchin, Parechinus angulosus, as a new aquaculture species

Sea urchins are harvested for their gonads, otherwise known as “uni”, that have a high market value, particularly in Asian countries such as Japan and China. Over the last few decades, the market for ‘uni' has steadily expanded. Current and future demand for sea urchin products cannot be met by the sea urchin fishery alone, presenting a commercial opportunity for unexploited sea urchin species with marketable gonad products. A symbiotic relationship exists in nature between the Cape urchin Parechinus angulosus and the early developmental stages of South Africa's most lucrative aquaculture product, the South African abalone Haliotis midae. Previous work has shown that supplementing hatchery-produced juvenile abalone with Cape sea urchin faecal matter benefits juvenile abalone growth and enhances survival.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Cloete, Aimee

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Brink-Hull, Marissa
• Macey, Brett M
• Bolton, John J

• South Africa
• Cape sea urchin

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41611

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/41611