Ethan Blake, a former high school student from Gander Bay, used to travel to Stoneville for part-time work at Hodder’s Shellfish, a sea urchin fish plant. This experience sparked his interest in a career focused on the water. Now, as the owner of his own fishing business in central Newfoundland, Blake faces challenges due to limited access to untouched urchin stocks in other bays, impacting the quality of his harvest.
Sea urchins, sought for their roe known as uni and valued as a delicacy in Japan, constitute a significant industry in Canada worth approximately $6 million. Unlike traditional fisheries with maximum weight limits, the sea urchin industry relies on controlled seasons, license numbers, and fishing area restrictions.
The fishing areas for sea urchins are linked to lobster fishing zones, with licenses restricted to the harvester’s designated home port. Despite there being only 52 commercial licenses issued province-wide for sea urchins, only 13 have recorded landings this season. This limitation hampers harvesters like Blake and frustrates industry stakeholders such as Jerry Hodder, the owner of Hodder’s Shellfish.
Hodder advocates for Fisheries and Oceans Canada to consider issuing exploratory licenses to enable harvesters to access untouched urchin stocks in specific bays. This access could result in higher-quality roe, crucial for the industry’s profitability. The call for exploratory licenses aims to enhance resource management and has garnered support from various stakeholders, including local politicians and industry representatives.
Despite efforts to address the issue, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has maintained existing management measures for the sea urchin fishery, citing low landings in recent years. The department has expressed openness to potential changes regarding temporary licenses before the upcoming 2026 season. However, for Hodder and others in the industry, immediate action is needed to sustain the sea urchin fishery’s viability and ensure economic prosperity for coastal communities.
Hodder emphasizes the importance of utilizing resources effectively, highlighting the employment opportunities and economic value the sea urchin industry provides. As challenges persist, stakeholders like Alisha Hodder, plant manager at Hodder’s Shellfish, express concerns about the industry’s future and its impact on local communities.
For Blake and others like him, the sea urchin fishery is not just a livelihood but a way of life. Without access to quality urchin stocks, the industry’s future remains uncertain, affecting not only individual livelihoods but also the cultural and economic fabric of Newfoundland and Labrador.