Delivered by EnviroStrat, with Johnny Wright as Project Manager and Technical Lead, the Kinanomics Pilot evaluated the potential of sea urchin (kina) enhancement (fattening) as a new aquaculture export industry for New Zealand.

The project assessed the feasibility of developing an enhancement industry targeting the high-value East Asian market, while simultaneously supporting kelp forest restoration. Key outcomes included detailed market analysis, the development of processing and export protocols, performance trials in land-based systems to understand enhancement potential, and the creation of harvesting strategies designed to maximise kelp recovery.