Reproductive Cycle and Gonad Yield of Green Sea Urchins in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska

摘要

The reproductive cycle of Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, the green sea urchin, was monitored for one year in southern Kachemak Bay, lower Cook Inlet, Alaska. Gonad yields were relatively high from August through March. The gonads were firm and easily extracted from the test from August through October. In late November, male gonads were soft and leaked sperm when they were removed from the test. Female gonads remained firm and could be removed intact until January. The results of this one-year survey suggest that the harvesting period for green sea urchin roe in lower Cook Inlet is from September through November.