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No. 1O ; June 1991 IN NEWFOUNDLAND

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BACKGROUND: the surface of seaweed or other solid material underwater. The eggs are heavier than Harvesting and exporting herring roe-on -kelp seawater and are adhesive which cause them is a commerical industry in British Columbia to stick to objects and structures underneath and Alaska. The destination for the product is the surface. Japan where it is considered a delicacy and consequently commands a high price. In 1975 the B.C. herring roe-on-kelp fishery was officially established with the first . The roe -on-kelp harvest is based on the fact controlled production of this product in the that herring spawn (release their eggs) onto --. ::\,. - world. Controlled production has the advantage of Species B.fili.o.g Comments producing a much better quality product which brings a much higher price than natural roe-on-kelp. A9.arJm cribrosum Unaceptable Leathery, phenolic Alaria esculenta Excellent Young plants The concept of controlled production of herring roe­ A scoph~llum nodosum Poor Very tough --= - Ahnfeltia plicata on-kelp is to encourage herring to spawn on kelp Poor Very tough Chondrus crispus Poor Very tough under controlled conditions. Fishermen set up pounds Chordaria ? Inadequate sample with kelp blades, introduce herring that are ready to Dumontia contorta Excellent Rather rare spawn and hope that the herring spawn will adhere to Dict~soiphon Moderate Rather fragile Fucus - stalk Unacceptable Tough, phenolic the kelp. Fucus - tips Pleasant Small part of plant METHODS USED IN B. C.: Laminaria Moderate Inadequate sample Palmaria - dulce Excellent Small flavour After obtaining a licence and immediately prior to the .E1i)QIB serrata Terrible Nasty flavour Petalonia spawning season, the fishermen select a site, usually Moderate Too fragile Ph~llophora Poor Tough and poor flavour a small sheltered cove with shallow water, near an Sc~tosiphon Moderate Too fragile area where herring spawn. Here they construct a Ulva lactura Moderate Good flavour, fragile large pound or several smal l pounds made of logs Zostera - eel grass Unacceptable Like fiberglass tape and suspended net material. Blades of the giant kelp Macrocystis are gathered, trimmed and suspended These marine plants were sampled from a natural spawning site off Green Island near St. Pauls, Western Newfoundland, June from ropes running across the pound. A seiner then 1989. makes a set on a school of mature herring which is Table1: Newfoundland Seaweed with Herring Roe Figure 1. Installing a line of kelp in the pound. towed to the pound and released. The herring spawn Palatability. while swimming back and forth over the kelp blades. Atlantic herring also have a smaller egg and the total Then with the doors closed they become conventional Eventually the kelp blades become completely Kelp is considered to be of best quality during cooler roe index or content is smaller in Atlantic herring than pounds. covered with herring eggs several layers deep. After in Pacific herring. periods of the year when growth is optimal. As SUITABILITY OF ROE ON KELP: spawning is complete the herring are released. The warming occurs and growth subsides unpleasant The disadvantage of schools containing both spring kelp is recovered and transported in vats of brine to 1. EDIBILITY: The edibility of local roe-on-kelp was flavors and toughening develops. The kelp also and fall spawners may be partly overcome by the processing plant, graded and then rolled in dry assessed. Results are summarized in Table 1. becomes fouled by marine organisms and is selecting schools with a high proportion of spring salt, packed in 30 kg crates and shipped to Japan. susceptable to microbial degeneration. spawners. 2. ROE ADHESION: Initially there were concerns In 1990 the Canada I Newfoundland Inshore about the ability of local roe to stick to suitable Atlantic kelp species are difficult to harvest since they IMPOUNDMENT METHODS: Fisheries Development Agreement-Underutilized grow firm ly anchored to the rocks. Most of the seaweed species. In fact the roe stuck tenaciously to Species Program provided funding to Bob Hooper a harvesting would have to be done by divers and Several options were examined including: everything. biologist with Memorial University of Newfoundland to special tools may have to be developed. - Wild harvest where natural spawning occurs in 3. ROE DENSITY: First quality roe on kelp should conduct a feasibility study for such a fishery in beds of seaweed. Most of the spawn collected in this have at least six layers of eggs attached to the kelp Newfoundland. After harvesting, the kelp must be kept in good condition. Proper handling techniques include phase was unusable. Large proportions of the eggs blade. Because of low herring densities in the THE STUDY: maintaining a cool damp environment, protecting from were glued to inedible material or were contaminated experiments, high quality roe-on-kelp was not by sand particles. achieved. However, in natural spawning, thicknesses Several factors had to be taken into account in fresh water (such as from melting ice) and avoiding of 20 layers or more were encountered. Consequently assessing the potential for developing this fishery pressure. - Open pounds. Wooden frames are used to if high enough densities could be achieved egg including the kelp, the herring resource,impoundment THE HERRING RESOURCE: Atlantic herring usually suspend kelp above a natural spawning bed. Natural practices and suitability of the product. thickness should be satisfactory. spawn in the same area year after year. However spawning densities must be adequate to yield a good 4. Harvesting is a simple process.Kelp blades with THE KELP: The kelp species most used on the changes in water temperature and events such as product; roe are placed in drainable boxes with layers of salt Pacific Coast, Macrocystis, does not occur in the storms can considerably alter the time and location. - Closed pounds. Wooden frames and netting are between the layers of kelp. At the plant, they are North Atlantic. Consequently alternate species had to used to suspend the kelp and confine the herring in The herring may be spring or fall spawners and trimmed, graded and inspected by Fish Inspection be assessed. close proximity to the kelp until spawning. Strong school together in various ratios. This fact lowers the personnel before packing and shipping. Available species of kelp were assessed for taste, total roe yield from a given school. winds, currents and deep seines have not proven texture, abundance, harvestability, size and shape. compatable with keeping herring healthy; PLANS FOR 1991 - Combination pound I trap. Pounds are modified so Work will continue during 1991 with emphasis on that they may be used as traps to capture the fish . suitable enclosed bays on the east coast. '·

Publications in this series: 1 . Cod Holding Pens 2. Experimental Shrimp Fishery in Trinity Bay - 1989 3. The Utilization of Discards from Crab and Shrimp Processing 4. Newfoundland Sea Urchin Roe - Potential for Development 5. Under Running System 6. Harvesting Deepwater Turbot and Grenadier 7. Pelagic Fish Handling 8. Redfish Harvesting by Inshore Draggers Using Midwater Trawls 9. The Cod Tongue Cutter 10. Herring Roe-on-Kelp Production in Newfoundland 11 . Icelandic Scallop Fishing St. Pierre Bank 12. The Mince Refiner 13. Male Capelin Utilization 14. Cod Roe

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Canada I Newfoundland Inshore Fisheries Development Agreement P. 0 . Box 2460, Stn. "C" St. John's, NF A1C 6E8

Tel. (709) 772-2920