SOUTH AFRICA'S indigenous short-spined sea urchin (Tripneustes gratilla) is the latest potential aquaculture species to receive attention in that country, reports STEPHEN McVEIGH.
The sea urchin is no ordinary food item. Not only can it command a high price on Asian markets, but medical researchers can also use sea urchin embryos to mimic human embryos in some experiments.
Harvesting wild sea urchins - mainly for their roe - has grown into a major industry in many parts of the world. As a speciality food they are much sought-after in the Far East, as well as among Asians in Europe and the USA.
