Killing Aquatic life?

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I saw this on the left coast and was pretty shocked. It was later explained to me that urchins are the bane of reefs in Califonia due to killing off of their preditors. They decimate the kelp beds, so the thinking there is killing urchins is helping the kelp. There's also no shortage as everything is covered in urchins.

I was told this same thing in the 70's and split more than a few myself. Now days, I practice Leave No Trace and don't simple because we have lots of divers concentrating on a few reefs and can mess them up all to easy.

 

[ODC diver]

Its good to heart that most do not practice this or at least not anymore. Yes I know that they have become a problem on the west coast because of the Otter population decline. And yes there are some ares that in Hawaii they are very abundant and I could see someone thinking how can this hurt? Right! Then there is the flip side that some areas have become decimated by over harvesting or pollution. There are many groups trying to figure out how to increase the population in certain local areas such as Kane'ohe Bay on Oahu.

Diet: Sea urchins eat plant and animal matter, including kelp, decaying matter, algae, dead fish, sponges, mussels, and barnacles. Predators of Sea Urchins: Sea urchins are eaten by crabs, sunflower stars, snails, sea otters, some birds, fish (including wolf eels), and people.

 

[ODC diver]

Now for another part of the story. Some of you had said decrease tips or not to dive with them anymore. Well I am a professional with a local company and most of the boats on Oahu are charter boats. Many dive shops are basically paying for space from the boat capt or owner. So we are on the boat many times a week.
This person "Killer"who is newer to using this boat has also been at other dive boats or destinations as us. If it were only I that saw this OK Ill get over it , maybe. But one time I had students with me so now they saw that maybe its OK. I did explain that its not OK. Also he has had students with him so now a hole new generation is seeing that a supposed professional says its OK. Then it must be right?

Ive never heard of the frozen pea thing though I have seen the orange peanut butter crackers come from the boat to the bottom and yes the fish love it. Again not there food. Isn't that how they get all colorful bright yellows and neon colors. Not!

 

[The Anchor]

I have never seen or heard of someone sliceing up a sea urchin to attact fish until this thread. I have seen poeple feed fish with frozen peas, admitedly I participated in this aswell. I would think that giving the fish any "human" food such as peas or cheese would have a negitive impact on the ecosystem.

If you are looking for a more enviromentally friendly way to attract fish, you could stop by the market on your way to the dive and buy some fish or sea urchin. THey would be fresh and without preservatives. They would be more expensive than the ones you could get on the sea floor though...

 

[Garrobo]

G-d is great. Kill all sea urchins.

 

[Puffer Fish]

Its good to heart that most do not practice this or at least not anymore. Yes I know that they have become a problem on the west coast because of the Otter population decline. And yes there are some ares that in Hawaii they are very abundant and I could see someone thinking how can this hurt? Right! Then there is the flip side that some areas have become decimated by over harvesting or pollution. There are many groups trying to figure out how to increase the population in certain local areas such as Kane'ohe Bay on Oahu.

Diet: Sea urchins eat plant and animal matter, including kelp, decaying matter, algae, dead fish, sponges, mussels, and barnacles. Predators of Sea Urchins: Sea urchins are eaten by crabs, sunflower stars, snails, sea otters, some birds, fish (including wolf eels), and people.

Can be tasty on crackers...

I think if one needs to kill something to attract fish, there seem to be a surplus of people around... ok, that was way to harsh.. how about a finger or an ear??

 

[TMHeimer]

I don't know why someone would kill an urchin or anything just for entertainment value. I take live shells (mollusks, not bombs), but they are for my collection. On the other hand, I'm not worried about the urchin population--there are zillions, even up North here. Still, no reason to kill them for fun.

 

[maged_mmh]

how do you kill them anyway? do you strip the spikes first, then pry it open?

 

[escapeartist]

WOW! I can't believe this actually happens. I think I'd get pretty upset if someone did this on a dive I was on. You'd better believe I'd complain and find another charter.

 

[rstofer]

I saw this once on a training dive. I personally won't do it but I fail to see the difference between killing one urchin and harvesting millions. There is a tremendous commercial market for urchins. Try Google...

In that way, I don't differentiate between killing a sea urchin or spear fishing a sea bass. Except that at least the urchin fed other fish, not just the hunter.

I prefer not to hunt anything. I would rather take pictures.

Richard