Sea urchins from Arakan State waters in high demand

By Admin 10 Mar 2023

DMG Newsroom
10 March 2023, Sittwe

Sea urchins from Arakan State are fetching good prices due to high demand from other parts of the country, according to sea urchin dealers.

Sea urchins in Arakan State are primarily harvested in Manaung, Myebon and Gwa townships, and sea urchins from Myebon are fetching better prices because they are bigger in size, said Ko Lan Min Khant, a sea urchin dealer from Ngwe Saung Beach.

“We order sea urchins from Myebon to sell here. Previously, we ordered from Gwa and Manaung, but their production has declined by half lately. Though transportation costs are higher due to increased fuel prices, sea urchins from Myebon are bigger in size, and we therefore offer good prices,” he told DMG.

Sea urchins can only be bought in Ngwe Saung, Chaungthar and Gaw Yin Gyi Island in Ayeyarwady Region. There are around 100 sea urchin dealers at those beaches. Sea urchins are sold for prices between 3,000 kyats to 10,000 kyats, depending on their sizes.

Sea urchins are usually eaten raw with honey, but they are not without digestive risks.

“Not just sea urchins, but seafood and meats can also cause diarrhoea and stomach pain if eaten raw. Sea creatures like sea urchins eat bacteria for their food, and it is safest to eat them after cooking,” said a health worker.

Due to a decline in the number of sea urchin hunters in Arakan State’s Manaung, some sea urchin businesses have suspended operations. 

“Production is low in Manaung, and there are few workers. Sea urchins are collected from rocks or the seabed. So, the catch is low when there are few workers. This is why we have stopped selling sea urchins,” said a Manaung resident who used to sell sea urchins.

Sea urchins are rich in protein, fibre, and vitamins A and C. There are around 900 varieties of sea urchins, and female sea urchins lay hundreds of eggs at a time.