Stewards of Monterey Bay’s fishery are hoping to create demand for uni with a free tasting event this weekend in Moss Landing, part of a long-range effort to keep purple sea urchin populations in check and kelp forests healthy.
Populations of purple sea urchins have exploded along much of California’s coast in recent years, according to the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust.
The urchins’ overgrazing of kelp has created vast “urchin barrens” where kelp forests once thrived.
“Without healthy kelp forests, countless marine species lose essential habitat, and coastal ecosystems become less resilient,” according to a release from the fisheries trust and Moss Landing Marine Labs.
Commercial harvesting of purple sea urchins is emerging as one tool that could help reduce the species’ density while creating economic opportunities for California fishermen, according to the organizations.
Sunday’s tasting event in Moss Landing aims to give the public a taste of uni, a bright orange delicacy made from the urchin’s reproductive organs that is considered a prized ingredient in Japan.
“Bringing together fishermen, scientists, aquaculture experts, chefs, and community partners won’t solve our biggest challenges overnight. But every successful collaboration moves us one step closer,” said Melissa Mahoney, executive director of the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust.
Sunday’s free tasting will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Moss Landing waterfront, in front of Woodward Marine Market, and is hosted by the Western Flyer Foundation.