How many species of sea urchin are there?
Sea urchin
The gonads of both male and female sea urchins, usually called sea urchin roe or corals,[59] are culinary delicacies in many parts of the world.[60][61][62]
In Mediterranean cuisines, Paracentrotus lividus is often eaten raw, or with lemon,[63] and known as ricci on Italian menus where it is sometimes used in pasta sauces. It can also flavour omelettes, scrambled eggs, fish soup,[64] mayonnaise, béchamel sauce for tartlets,[65] the boullie for a soufflé,[66] or Hollandaise sauce to make a fish sauce.[67] In Chilean cuisine, it is served raw with lemon, onions, and olive oil.
Though the edible Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis is found in the North Atlantic, it is not widely eaten. However, sea urchins (called uutuk in Alutiiq) are commonly eaten by the Alaska Native population around Kodiak Island. It is commonly exported, mostly to Japan.[68]
In the West Indies, slate pencil urchins are eaten.[60]
On the Pacific Coast of North America, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus was praised by Euell Gibbons; Strongylocentrotus purpuratus is also eaten.[60]
In New Zealand, Evechinus chloroticus, known as kina in Maori, is a delicacy, traditionally eaten raw. Though New Zealand fishermen would like to export them to Japan, their quality is too variable.[69]
In Japan, sea urchin is known as uni(うに), and its roe can retail for as much as ¥40000 ($360) per kg;[70] it is served raw as sashimi or in sushi, with soy sauce and wasabi. Japan imports large quantities from the United States, South Korea, and other producers. Japan consumes 50,000 tons annually amounting to over 80% of global production.[71]  Japanese demand for sea urchin corals has raised concerns about overfishing.[72]
Native Americans in California are also known to eat sea urchins.[73] The coast of Southern California is known as a source of high quality uni, with divers picking sea urchin from kelp beds in depths as low as 24 m/80ft.[74] As of 2013, the state was limiting the practice to 300 sea urchin diver licenses.[74]