If you crack open a spiky kina shell you'll find what many people consider a seafood delicacy - the roe.
But over fishing has resulted in a massive increase in kina, leading to kina barrens - areas where they've eaten all the kelp.
The kina there are malnourished and not much use to export.
But a new project called "Kinanomics" may have a solution. Environmental Scientist Johnny Wright is leading the Kinanomics project, he speaks to Jesse.