Long-term effects of stocking density on somatic growth, gonad index and survival of the juvenile sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

Juvenile Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (average wet weight = 4.0 g) were held at three initial stocking densities (15, 30 and 60 animals per tray, which equates to 0.25, 0.5 and 1 kg sea urchins/m2 surface area, respectively) under constant light and temperature conditions (LD 24:0 and 8.8°C) for 380 days. The somatic growth and survival of the urchins were monitored during this period, and the gonad index (GI) was measured at the conclusion of the experiment. The sea urchins in the two lowest stocking density groups had 100% survival after 380 days in contrast to the highest stocking density group, which only had 67% survival at the conclusion of the experiment. Somatic growth was significantly higher in the lowest density group than in the medium density group, and this in turn was significantly higher than in the high-density group. The injury occurrence was highest in the high-density group (20%), lower in the medium group (7%), and there were no injuries observed (0%) in the low density groups. There were no significant differences in GI between the groups at the end of the experiment. In conclusion, the present study showed that stocking density has significant effects on somatic growth and survival of juvenile green sea urchin, S. droebachiensis and should be taken into consideration when designing sea urchin holding systems.