The Purple Pacific Sea Urchin (*Strongylocentrotus purpuratus*) is a spiny marine invertebrate native to the rocky coastal waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, particularly from Alaska to Baja California. Prized for its edible roe, known as "uni" in Japanese cuisine, the purple sea urchin supports a valuable commercial fishery. The top countries harvesting this species are the United States—especially California, which leads in both wild harvest and aquaculture production—and Mexico, primarily along the Baja California coast. Both countries have developed regulated fisheries to balance economic value with ecological sustainability, as overharvesting can disrupt kelp forest ecosystems where these urchins play a key ecological role. The industry supplies domestic markets and exports, particularly to Japan, where demand for high-quality uni remains strong.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.