NUTRITION AND FEED PROGRAM FOR SEA URCHIN AQUACULTURE

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0224029
• Project Start Date: Oct 7, 2010
• Project End Date: Oct 6, 2015
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
750 AGRONOMY RD STE 2701
COLLEGE STATION,TX 77843-0001

Performing Department
Corpus Christi-TAMU Agr Res

Non Technical Summary
Natural sea urchin populations are being over-fished because of the high demand for sea urchin roe (aka uni, tongue). For example, an expert on Chilean sea urchin fisheries reported that the Chilean urchin fishery which was producing almost 60% of the world's sea urchin roe was collapsing and no longer sustainable. In the U.S., the value of the green sea urchin fishery was second only to the North American lobster in the Northeastern Atlantic. Soon after 2000 the commercial harvest of the green sea urchin in Maine decreased by over 90% due to overfishing. The value of Northeast sea urchin fishery has declined from $21 million in 1997 to $3.7 million in 2006 with the value of U.S. exports to Japan being reduced from a high of $175 million in the mid 1990's to $3.7 million in 2006. Because of the high demand for urchin roe and the ease of capture of the animal in the wild the natural urchin populations are being overfished with the only solution is the development of a sea urchin aquaculture industry. Also of significance is that sea urchins in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world are used for biomedical and ecotoxicological research and for education. Use of urchins for these purposes is limited by a unpredictable supply, because they are not available continuously year around and have unknown and inconsistent quality which lowers the quality and increases the cost of research. Thus, development of sea urchin aquaculture would be significant to: (1) protect our natural sea urchin populations and thus our natural resources since they occupy a key position in the ecological niches of the marine environment, (2) produce a cheaper predictable supply of a safe and nutritious food for human consumption, (3) increase U.S. agricultural competiveness in the global market by providing a very exportable food item, (4) increase the quality and decrease the cost of biomedical and ecotoxicological research and (5) provide a positive economic impact on U.S. coastal communities by creating a new aquaculture industry. Efforts are in progress to develop commercial urchin aquaculture in France, Ireland, Israel, Sweden and the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, and the People's Republic of China, Australia, and New Zealand. A significant research program has been initiated in both the east and west coast of Canada. In the U.S., sea urchin aquaculture programs are ongoing in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire on the east coast and west coast. Harvest of kelp (microalgae) for use in sea urchin aquaculture is not practical because of adverse effects on the environment, short shelf life, excessive costs of harvest, seasonal variations in nutrient quality, unpredictable availability, etc. In fact, research has indicated that dry formulated feeds will be critical for the urchin aquaculture and the production of a commercially acceptable uni. It is generally recognized that a major impediment to development of urchin aquaculture has been the lack of a cost effective commercial urchin feed.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
302	3799	1010	100%

Knowledge Area
302 - Nutrient Utilization in Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
3799 - Cultured aquatic animals, general/other;

Field Of Science
1010 - Nutrition and metabolism;

Keywords

sea urchin aquaculture, farming, nutrition, feeds, essential amino

acids, minerals, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper,

zinc, vitamins, carotenoids, vitamins a, d, e, k, riboflavin, niacin,

ecotoxicology, biomedical research, education, strongylocentrotus

droebachensis, lytechinus variegatus

Goals / Objectives
1. To determine the dietary essential amino acid, mineral, and vitamin requirements for: (A) somatic growth from juvenile size to sub-adult size, (B) somatic growth of the phagocytic nutrient cells in the gonad for the production of uni, and (C) gonad gametogenic growth. 2. To determine the dietary requirements for the above nutrients for two native species of sea urchins, Lytechinus variegatus (used for uni production, educational, biomedical and ecotoxicological research) and Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (used for uni production).

Project Methods
Experiments will be conducted in recirculating sea water systems each with thirty-six 0.1 m2 tanks. Into each tank will be place four plastic mesh cylinders. One sea urchin of the desired size will be placed into each cylinder. Each treatment will consist of 16 observations. For somatic growth the initial size will be juvenile sea urchins of 10 to 20 mm in diameter with each experiment being conducted for six to ten weeks. For somatic and gametogenic development of the gonad, the initial size will be sub-adult sea urchins of 40 to 60 mm in diameter with each experiment being conducted for eight to twelve weeks. Light regimens and temperatures depending upon the species of sea urchin with a relative constant salinity (27-29 ppt) will be used. For somatic growth evaluation, initial and final animal size and gut, test and lantern wet and dry weights will be taken. Appropriate tissue nutrient analyses will be done as required to evaluate the nutrient requirement. For somatic and gametogenic development evaluation, histology, weight and dry gonad weight with appropriate nutrient analyses will be done in addition to the previous listed analyses. Intermediate test diameters and wet animal weights will be done every two weeks. Mortality will be recorded continuously as it occurs. Determination of the apparent availability of nutrients (e.g. crystalline amino acids (AA), chelated AA, fortified purified proteins) with essential AA, minerals, chelated minerals, carotenoids, etc.) will be done using the chromic oxide method. Semi-purified feeds will be prepared using the cold extrusion method. These semi-purified feeds have been shown to give equal or better growth and survival as compared to urchins feed natural foods in the laboratory and for growth rates observed for urchins in the natural environment. The first experiment to determine the dietary essential AA requirement will be to feed C14 uniformly labeled D-glucose in semi-purified diets to urchins. Those AA which contain labeled C14 will be considered as non-essential with those AA not containing C14 as essential. Using crystalline, chelated, and fortified AA identified as essential the experimental approach previously published to determine the dietary requirement of lysine and methionine for shrimp will be used. Determination of exact dietary requirements for Ca, Mg, P, Cu, Zn and Mn using crystalline and chelated minerals will be done using methods as described above. Determination of the exact dietary requirements of the micro vitamins using the purified vitamin premix previously developed as the based and then adjusting levels of each vitamin in the vitamin premix to obtain the desired vitamin levels to be evaluated will be done. A arotenoid premix previously used to obtain commercial color quality of the gonad for uni production will be used as the base. To this premix consisting beta carotene, marigold carotenoid extract, lettuce and carrot carotenoids will be added at different levels into the premix. Different levels of the carotenoid premixes in the feed will also be evaluated. Carotenoid profile and levels in the gonad, gut and feed will be determined.

Progress 10/07/10 to 10/06/15

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Project Director has retired - nothing to report

Publications

Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: 1. Scientists at other Universities and Experiment Stations 2. Nutritionists of Feed Companies 3. Potential Farmers of Sea Urchins Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? 1. Opportunity for graduate students to obtain advance degrees in the area of feed and nutrition. 2. Adult outreach education in terms of tours for adults were conducted to inform the general public abourt research being conducted on sea urchins and the significance of this research to our society. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? 1. Tours arranged by theCity of Port Aransas, Texas were conducted to disseminate information about biology of sea urchins, the potential of farming sea urchins and the importance of sea urchins for medical research. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? 1. Continuation of graduate student education, adult outreach programs, and research on feeds and nutrition..

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Peer reviewed paper was published reporting the effect of menhaden oil and soybean oil on growth and gonad production in sea urchins. Abstract was presented and published reporting the effect of feeding patterns and frequency on growth and energy allocation in sea urchins.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gibbs, V.K., Powell, M.L., Hammer, H.S., Jones, W.T., Watts, S.A., Lawrence, A.L., Lawrence, J.M. 2013. Evaluation of the effects of menhaden oil and soybean oil levels in purifired diets on growth and gonad production in adult sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus, North American Journal of Aquaculture, 75(2): 277-284.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Heflin, L.E., Gibbs, V.K., Powell, M.L., Makowsky, R., Lawrence, J.M., Lawrence, A.L., Watts, S.A. 2014. Circadian feeding patterns and frequency of feeding affect growth and energy allocation in the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Book of Abstracts, Alabama Fisheries Association Annual Meeting, Eufaula, Alabama. February 19-22, 2014. p 12.

Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: 1. Scientists at other Universities and Experiment Stations. 2. Nutritionists of Feed Companies 3. Potential farmers of sea urchins Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? 1. Opportunity for graduate students to obtain advance degrees in the area of feed and nutrition for sea urchins. 2. Adult outreach edcucation in terms of tours for adults were conducted to informed the general public about research being conducted on sea urchins and the significance of this research to our society. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? 1. Tours arranged by the city of Port Aransas, Texas were conducted to disseminate information about the sea urchin research being conducted. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? 1. Continuation of graduate student education, adult outreach programs, and research on feeds and nutrition.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Two major reviews were co-authored which summarized existing information concerning feeding, digestion, digestibility, nutrition and feeds for sea urchins were published. These reviews represent significant information to researchers for planning further research and to feed millers for formulated least cost commercial sea urchin feeds.

Publications

• Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Lawrence, J.M., Lawrence, A.L., and Watts, S.A. 2013. Feeding, digestion and digestibility, Chapter 9 in J.M. Lawrence (ed.) Biology and Ecology of Sea Urchins. Academic Press. San Diego, California. p 135-154.
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Watts, S.A., Lawrence, A.L., and Lawrence, J.M. 2013. Nutrition, Chapter 10 in J.M. Lawrence (ed.) Biology and Ecology of Sea Urchins. Academic Press. San Diego, California. p. 155-169.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Heflin, L.E., Gibbs, V.K., Jones, W.T., Makowsky, R., Lawrence, A.L., and Watts, S.A. 2013. Growth rates are related to production efficiencies in juveniles of the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus, Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 93(6): 1673-1683.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gibbs, V.K., Heflin, L.E., Taylor, J.C., Lawrence, A.L., and Watts, S.A. 2013. Effects of feed ration on growth and gonad production in small sea urchins Lytechinus variegatus. Book of Abstracts CD-ROM), World Aquaculture Society Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. February, 2013. p 402.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Heflin, L.E., Watts, S.A., and Lawrence, A.L. 2013. Effect of feed ration on growth and morphology in juvenile Lytechinus variegatus. Book of Abstracts CD-ROM), World Aquaculture Society Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. February, 2013. p 461.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Taylor, J.C., Wattsm S.A., and Lawrence, A.L. 2013. Light spectra and gonad color in the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Book of Abstracts CD-ROM), World Aquaculture Society Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. February, 2013. p 1082.

Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1. By varying protein and carbohydrate levels in diets in the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, the lower protein levels of 16 to 22% and higher carbohydate levels resulted in the highest growth rates. 2. It was shown that the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus, fed 31:33% protein:carbohydrate ratio consumed less feed, more protein, less carbohydrate, less energy, and had higher feed conversion ratios, larger test diameters, total wet weights, production efficiencies and gonad production efficiences than sea urchins fed diets with protein:carbohydrate ratios of 29:39% 21:44%, and 17:44%. 3. The sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus, was fed diets with different protein levels of 12 to 36% and carbohydrate levels of 21 to 39%. Diets with the highest (>68 mg protein/kcal)produced the highest weight gain. The highest protein diets produced the lowest feed conversion ratios. The dietary protein level also affected the size of Aristotle's lantern. 4. A fourth study dietary neutral lipids shown that dietary lipids affected the gut size of the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus. PARTICIPANTS: Drs. Eddy, Brown and Kling of the University of Maine conducted comparative feed trials using diets formulated and made by Project TEX09125. Drs. Watts, Makowsky and Powell with graduate students, Hammer, Jones, and Heflin of the University of Alabama at Birmingham conducted comparative feed trials using diets formulated and made by Project TEX 09125. Dr. JM Lawrence of the University of South Florida was consulted with for the experimental design and interpretation of results for the preceding mentioned comparative feed trials. TARGET AUDIENCES: Scientific community, professional mariculturists, nutritionists and commercial feed millers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The results reported for 2012 will result in more optimal protein, neutral fat and energy levels in sea urchin feeds which will result in higher growth rates with reduced cost of commercial shrimp feeds. The use of feed containing lower protein levels will decrease pollution by the reduction of ammonia excreted by sea urchins. This information is important to feed mills in least formulation of commercial sea urchin feed. The will contribute to making the potential of the farming of sea urchins more feasible in the United States since feed is the largest of the variable cost. Also of significance is the fact that the two species, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis and Lytechinus variegatus, will require different commercial feeds.

Publications

• Eddy SD, Brown NP, Kling AL, Watts SA, Lawrence AL (2012) Growth of juvenile green sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, fed formulated feeds with varying protein levels ompared with a macroalgal diet and a commercial abalone feed. Journal of the World aquaculture Society 43: 159-173.
• Hammer HS, Powell ML, Jones WT, Gibbs VK, Lawrence AL, Lawrence JM, Watts SA (2012). Effect of feed protein and carbohydratye levels on feed intake, growth, and gonad production of the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 43: 145-158.
• Heflin LE, Gibbs VK, Powell ML, Makowsky R, Lawrence JM, Lawrence AL, Watts SA (2012). Effect of diet quality on nutrient allocation to the test and Aristotle's lantern in the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus (Lamarck, 1816). Journal of Shellfish Research 31: 867-875.
• Heflin LE, Gibbs VK, Powell ML, Makowsky R, Lawrence JM, Lawrence AL, Watts SA (2012). Effect of dietary protein and carbohydrate levels on weight gain and gonad production in the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Aquaculture 358-359: 253-261.
• Gibbs V, Heflin LE, Lawrence AL, Watts SA (2012). Level and quality of dietary neutral lipids affect gut size in the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Book of Abstracts (CD-ROM), World Aquaculture Society Annual Conference, February 29-March 02, 2012, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. pp 451.

Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1-Demonstration for the commercial production of uni (sea urchin gonad) for human consumption using dry formulated feeds was done. 2-The effect of different feed management strategies on sea urchin growth was demonstrated. 3-The effect of menhaden fish and soy bean oils on juvenile growth and early sea urchin gonad production was accomplished. 4-Information concerning protein and essential amino acid dietary requirements for growth and production in the sea urchin was obtained. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Individuals interested in sea urchin farming and scientists doing research on technology required to commercially farm sea urchins. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The demonstration that dry feeds can be used to obtain commercial quality uni (sea urchin)will greatly enhance the ability to commercially farm sea urchins. Ihe information concerning: (1) the effect of feed management strategies; (2) protein and essenial amino acids dietary requirements; and, (3) the effect of menhaden fish and soybean oils on juvenile growth and early gonad development will greatly reduced feed cost and thus make sea urchin farming more commercial.

Publications

• Heflin L.E., Gibbs, V.K., Powell, M.L., Lawrence, A.L., Lawrence, J.M., Watts, S.A. 2011. Protein and essential amino acid requirements for growth and production in the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Book of Abstracts (CD-ROM), World Aquaculture Society Annual Conference, February 28-March 03, 2011, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. pp. 215.
• Lawrence, J.M., Cao, X., Chang, Y., Wang, P., Wang, H., Yu, Y., Lawrence, A.L., Watts, S.A. 2011 Potential for uni production by Strongylocentrotus intermedius using dry formulated feeds. Journal of World Aquaculture Society 42(2): 253-260.
• Watts, S.A., Hofer, S.C., Desmond, R.E., Lawrence, A.L., Lawrence, J.M. 2011. Effect of feeding and growth characteristics of the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 397(2): 188-195.
• Lawrence A.L., Lawrence, J.M., Watts, S.A., Powell, M.L.. 2011. Commercial farming of the Japanese sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius) now a reality. In Stickney R, R Iwamoto, M Rust (eds.) Proceedings of the 38th U.S.-Japan Aquaculture Panel Symposium, Corpus Christi, Texas. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/SPO-113. pp. 26-27.
• Gibbs V.K., Heflin, L.E., Jones, W.T., Powell, M.L., Lawrence A.L., Makowsky, R., Watts, S.A.. 2011. Effect of menhaden and soy oils on juvenile growth in the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Book of Abstracts (CD-ROM), World Aquaculture Society Annual Conference, February 28-March 03, 2011, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. pp. 182.
• Gibbs V.K., Heflin, L.E., Taylor, J.C., Lawrence, A.L., Makowsky, R., Watts. S.A. 2011. Effect of menhaden and soy oils on juvenile growth and early gonad production in the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Journal of Shell fish Research 30(2): 508.