Porto-Muiños, a family-run aquaculture company in Galicia, is pioneering the sustainable cultivation of sea urchins to restore local populations and support the region’s marine ecosystem. With over 25 years of experience in macroalgae farming, the company has expanded its expertise to develop aquaculture techniques that nurture sea urchins from larvae to adulthood. This will ensure sea urchins’ reintroduction into the wild.
The Galician coast, where the Cantabrian and Atlantic seas meet, is a rich habitat for marine life, including sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus). However, decades of environmental degradation, including tanker spills, have devastated natural populations. With support from the EU, Porto-Muiños established the Algafrés facility. Recognising the need for sustainable solutions, the company uses own-produced macroalgae to feed the urchin throughout their life-cycle.
Replicating natural habitats to boost populations
Sea urchins play a crucial ecological role in maintaining the balance of marine environments by controlling algae growth. At Algafrés, the company replicates optimal conditions for urchin development, from larval settlement to juvenile growth. By feeding them locally cultivated algae, Porto-Muiños ensures a high survival rate and prepares them for adaptation when reintroduced to the wild.
‘We want to help the maritime communities contribute to ecosystem recovery, and the fishing guilds need sea urchin production to increase,’ explains Antonio Muiños who heads the family operation together with Rosa Mirás.
Growing strong sustainably
The cultivation process begins with carefully managed breeding to produce strong, resilient sea urchin larvae. These are raised in controlled environments that mimic their natural habitat, allowing them to grow safely before being transferred to specially designed tanks where they feed on a diet of sustainably harvested macroalgae.
A circular model for marine farming
The integration of sea urchin aquaculture with macroalgae farming creates a circular production model. The same algae that sustain the sea urchins also help purify the water, reducing waste and maintaining a balanced ecosystem within the facility. This closed-loop system not only enhances sustainability, but also minimises environmental impact.
Once the sea urchins reach maturity, Porto-Muiños collaborates with local fishers’ guilds (Cofradías) and marine scientists to ensure their successful transfer to designated marine areas. Careful monitoring of restocking sites allows for adaptive management, ensuring the long-term stability of reintroduced populations.
More information
From seaweed harvesters to sea urchin rescuers: the story of Porto-Muiños - European Commission
Website of the project: Algafres
Website of the company: Porto-Muiños
Video on the project
Porto-Muiños: from seaweed harvesters to sea urchin rescuers (Long version)
Porto-Muiños: from seaweed harvesters to sea urchin rescuers (Short version)