A rare discovery of a vast undersea nursery housing billions of baby sea cucumbers near Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, is shedding light on this species, potentially offering economic opportunities for the Arctic community. Lucassie Arragutainaq, the manager of the Sanikiluaq Hunters and Trappers Association, revealed that the community regularly consumes small, young sea cucumbers, while the larger adults could be targeted for markets in China and Japan.
Intrigued by the prospect of integrating the species into commercial scallop fishing initiatives, the association enlisted researchers from Memorial University in Newfoundland to investigate Cucumaria frondosa, also known as the Orange-footed sea cucumber, in 2018. Led by Annie Mercier, a professor in the university’s ocean sciences department, the team, with the guidance of local residents, discovered the nursery the following year, surprising the community.
Mercier expressed excitement over the find, highlighting the scarcity of knowledge on sea cucumber nurseries globally due to their elusive nature. She and her team published a report in the peer-reviewed journal Polar Science in 2023, detailing the first-ever identification of a Cucumaria frondosa nursery near Sanikiluaq.
The baby sea cucumbers, measuring less than two millimeters and appearing as pink specks on rocks and mussel shells, differ from the deep-sea dwelling adults. Mercier emphasized the expansive nature of the nursery, estimating its presence along the Belcher Islands archipelago coastline, one to three meters below the ocean surface.
The researchers, including Joséphine Pierrat, a postdoctoral researcher from Memorial University, collected samples in Sanikiluaq, examining them at the Qikitait Centre, where collaboration with the local community enhances data collection efforts. Pierrat underscored the importance of studying the sea cucumbers for species management and potential commercial fishing pursuits.
The Sanikiluaq Hunters and Trappers Association aims to leverage the gathered data to support their case for a commercial fishery. Arragutainaq highlighted the community’s interest in exploring sea cucumber harvesting alongside scallop fishing, acknowledging the lengthy regulatory process involved. Mercier endorsed a cautious approach to ensure sustainable management, citing the fragile state of sea cucumber fisheries worldwide.
Arragutainaq envisioned job creation through a potential fishery, emphasizing the community’s eagerness to learn and benefit from this new opportunity. Pierrat proposed a dual market strategy, suggesting that adult sea cucumbers could be processed for export while younger ones could be consumed locally. Arragutainaq described sea cucumbers as versatile, noting their appeal whether eaten raw or roasted for a crunchy, salty treat.