[en] Echiniculture, or sea urchin aquaculture, is more and more considered as an alternative or a complement to fisheries but it is not implemented yet on a commercial scale. This is because rearing methods still have to be optimized. We developed a mathematical model to simulate and predict sea urchins' production according to various rearing methods and exploitation strategies. Simulations using this model demonstrate how the variation of production has a complex and sometimes counterintuitive relationship with both the rearing method and the exploitation strategy. Intraspecific competition and spread in sizes in reared batches are taken into account in the model. Hence, an accurate estimation of the time required to grow a whole cohort of reared echinoids to the market size is obtained. This tool allows a rapid determination of best rearing methods and should speed up the optimization process. At a latter date, this model could help in rationalizing stock management in future sea urchins farming activities. By applying this model to field sea urchins populations, it could also help in the establishment of sustainable fishery policies.
