Regarding conclusion of partnership agreement regarding sea urchin farming business in Hokkaido for the purpose of countermeasures against rocky shores – Hokkaido Electric Power Company

Today, Uninomics Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Uninomics”) and Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Hokkaido Electric Power”) signed a collaboration agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “Agreement”) to jointly consider a sea urchin farming business in order to address the rocky shore issue in Hokkaido. So I’ll let you know.

In recent years, in addition to rising seawater temperatures and lack of nutrients, seaweed beds have continued to decline due to sea denudation nationwide, due to factors such as sea urchins overeating seaweed beds, and a similar situation is progressing in the coastal areas of Hokkaido. I am.
Seaweed beds nurture the rich ecosystem of the ocean, protect biodiversity, and also provide blue carbon.*1The restoration of seaweed beds is expected to contribute to the recovery of marine resources and the prevention of global warming, as they act as a source of carbon dioxide absorption and storage.

Urchinomics has the technology to raise sea urchins in a short period of time, and with a circular business model that buys, raises, and sells sea urchins that live in rocky areas, it is a new way to raise sea urchins in areas suffering from rocky shores. We will preserve the marine environment and revitalize local fisheries while bringing in industry and specialty products. This business model has received high praise worldwide, including being awarded an official recommendation from UNESCO’s United Nations Decade of Marine Science for Sustainable Development.
Hokkaido Electric Power is developing its own “low carbon algae reef”*2” and “Automatic sea urchin capture device*3” and is also promoting a blue carbon project aimed at regenerating seaweed beds at multiple locations in Hokkaido. Utilizing these technologies and know-how and collaborating with Uninomics, we will move forward with new initiatives aimed at eliminating rocky shores.

Going forward, based on this agreement, both companies will consider business models that will contribute to the revitalization of the business area and local economy in order to implement a sea urchin farming business in Hokkaido, with the aim of solving social issues and realizing a zero-carbon Hokkaido.

1. *1Carbon absorbed and stored by marine ecosystems such as seaweed and seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and tidal flats.
2. *2It is a block submerged in the sea that has been processed to make it easier for seaweed (algae) to attach and grow.Hokkaido Electric Power uses biomass combustion ash as part of the material, and the manufacturing process is faster than that of regular concrete. C.O.2We are developing products that reduce emissions. The components contained in biomass combustion ash also have the effect of promoting the growth of seaweed (algae).
3. *3It is a cage-shaped trap that is sunk to the ocean floor, allowing sea urchins to enter but not being able to get out. A device (patent pending) that allows you to place bait in a basket and capture sea urchins that are attracted to it.

[Recycling business model for sea urchin farming business]

[Overview of both companies]

Uninomics Co., Ltd. (Opens in a separate window.https://www.uninomics.co.jp/)

Representative Director: Perry Edward Bevin

Head office location: 2-13-6 Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo

Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc. (https://www.hepco.co.jp/)

Representative Director, President and Executive Officer: Susumu Saito

Head office location: 1-2 Odori Higashi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

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