The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation in St. John’s has received approval to evaluate the efficacy of a new technology to help improve yield and make the job of sea urchin harvesters easier.

The project is in partnership with Miapukek Horizon Services Limited to test C Robotics’ patented diver-assisted C Disc technology for harvesting sea urchins.

Basically it’s a type of vacuum used by divers to collect sea urchins, which are usually hand-picked.

Managing Director of the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation Keith Hutchings says they’ll test the new technology out in the Marine Institute’s flume tank and in the field to see if the quality of the sea urchins is affected.

He says there is a global need for sea urchin and they see the technology as an opportunity to expand the market.