Dutch-based Urchinomics secures investment to restore kelp beds and combat climate change

North Holland-based Urchinomics, a restorative aquaculture venture, announced that it has secured major capital boost via strategic partnerships with two Japanese companies — Osaka-based FOOD & LIFE COMPANIES Ltd and Tokyo’s NYK. 

“Both partnerships will further our mission to restore kelp forests, revitalise coastal communities and fisheries, and combat climate change,” mentions Urchinomics.

On July 23, Urchinomics formed a capital and business alliance with FOOD & LIFE COMPANIES Ltd (F&LC) to advance sustainable seafood and marine conservation. 

Founded in 1984, F&LC grew from the kaiten sushi chain “Sushiro” and now operates over 1,100 restaurants under various brands in nine countries. It focuses on solving social issues while achieving corporate growth.

And on July 24, Urchinomics and NYK signed a share purchase agreement, to preserve marine biodiversity. NYK aims to preserve marine biodiversity by regenerating seaweed beds and contributing to the ocean’s decarbonisation.

Previously, in January 2023, Cadman Capital Group acquired a strategic equity stake in Dutch-based Urchinomics, enabling the company to expand operations in North America, Japan, and Europe. Cadman also owns Quoddy Savour Seafoods, Canada’s largest licensed urchin aquaculture facility, which conducted a pilot study with Urchinomics in 2022.

Addressing a global issue

Kelp forests, which thrive on seabeds, are vital for marine biodiversity, offering habitats for small fish and other marine life. 

These underwater ecosystems, recognised as “blue carbon” due to their ability to absorb and store atmospheric CO2 through photosynthesis, are under threat from an overabundance of sea urchins. These sea urchins devour kelp, leading to the destruction of these crucial habitats. 

Consequently, devoid of their natural food source, starving urchins become unsuitable for consumption and lack the prized “uni” (the delicate meat inside an urchin’s shell).

Urchinomics tackles this problem by harvesting sea urchins from the expanding urchin barrens in Japan and other regions. These urchins are then fed with naturally derived feed, transforming them into a culinary delicacy. 

The sale of these cultured sea urchins generates profits that are reinvested into further sea urchin removal and kelp-bed restoration projects.

Urchinomics claims that its efforts of restoring kelp forest and its circular business model have received significant public attention. The company has also earned the distinction of being one of only three commercial enterprises endorsed by the United Nations Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development.

Urchinomics’ circular business model

Joining forces to combat marine biodiversity loss

Urchinomics and F&LC are partnering to tackle the decline in wild sea urchins and kelp forests. The collaboration aims to ensure a stable supply of high-quality, domestically farmed sea urchins while supporting blue carbon ecosystem conservation.

Koichi Mizutome, President and CEO of F&LC, says, “Through collaboration with Urchinomics, I hope we will be able to establish planned manufacture and a secure stable procurement base of sea urchins, which we previously had to rely on wild catch.”

“Also, I have high hopes to cause positive effects of restoring kelp forests, through effective use of natural resources by utilising barren urchins which has been difficult to consume as food. Together, we would like to challenge the important task of sustainably securing marine resources, for the future of Japan and the world.”

Giles Cadman, Chairman and CEO of Verdant Bloom (the parent company of Urchinomics Group), says, “Partnering with F&LC marks a significant step forward for Urchinomics. This is more than just an off-take agreement and capital investment; together, we are poised to restore marine ecosystems and establish a reliable supply of high-quality uni in a market which is starved of supply.”

“This collaboration highlights the importance of our shared goal to combat coastal degredation and support sustainable seafood production. I am deeply grateful for F&LC’s shared vision and commitment to our shared mission.”

Accelerating environmental restoration

According to Urchinomics, its collaboration with NYK Group is aimed at environmental restoration.  As a logistics company centered on marine transportation, the NYK Group has positioned “giving back to the oceans” through marine environmental conservation as a key theme. It aims to preserve marine biodiversity by regenerating seaweed beds and contributing to ocean decarbonisation.

The company plans to accumulate knowledge to establish evaluation methods for blue carbon, which helps in carbon removal, and to acquire know-how on converting blue carbon into credits.

Giles Cadman, Chairman and CEO of Verdant Bloom (the parent company of Urchinomics) says, “Partnering with NYK is a significant milestone for Verdant Bloom and Urchinomics. As we have been scaling our efforts, we have placed significant importance on collaborating with partners with the aligned vision on fighting climate change with holistic nature-based solutions. NYK’s considered and forward-thinking approach to these issues is an excellent fit with our business.”

“We are grateful for NYK’s confidence in our mission, and together, we are embarking on an important journey to restore kelp forests and combat climate change. This partnership underscores the critical importance of our work and the positive impact we can achieve together.”

Shinichi Yanagisawa, NYK Executive Officer, adds, “Through this investment, NYK would like to vigorously pursue solutions to the social issue of rocky-shore denudation and the new challenge of creating blue-carbon credits. The NYK Group continues to seek opportunities to add value to its corporate activities.”