We are in the process of choosing a new restoration location. For those who do not yet know, we have restored a kelp bed off Escondido Beach, Malibu, and Long Point, Palos Verdes. We are asking divers to please post to this thread if they know of any large urchin barrens they have seen so that we may create a map of Santa Monica Bay and plan the next phase. We are considering reefs that are at least 1 acre of rocky substrate covered in sea urchins. It does not need to be beach accessible because we use a boat.
Thanks for your help.
Most of the urchin barrens in SoCal exist due to the effects of overfishing. If sea urchin populations are not kept in check by their major predators (sea otter, large sheephead, large lobster), then the urchin numbers explode because they reproduce quickly. Once the urchin densities are high, then they switch feeding modes from eating primarily drift kelp to roving over the reef and eliminating giant kelp. Once the giant kelp is gone, most of the 800 species dependent upon the kelp diminish. What is left is an area that is 'barren' of most of the species we expect to see down there. If you've dove a barren, then you may have noticed that it is mostly made up of emaciated urchins and little else. An underwater ghost town. We relocate urchins, thus acting as an urchin predator in the restoration site, and release the pressure on the kelp. If you come across an urchin barren in SoCal right now, it is highly likely it is due to the effects of overfishing.
If you want to help reverse the degradation, then come out on our boat, go diving, pull up urchins, plant sporophyll bags, monitor, and basically become part of the restoration process!
Thanks for your help.
Most of the urchin barrens in SoCal exist due to the effects of overfishing. If sea urchin populations are not kept in check by their major predators (sea otter, large sheephead, large lobster), then the urchin numbers explode because they reproduce quickly. Once the urchin densities are high, then they switch feeding modes from eating primarily drift kelp to roving over the reef and eliminating giant kelp. Once the giant kelp is gone, most of the 800 species dependent upon the kelp diminish. What is left is an area that is 'barren' of most of the species we expect to see down there. If you've dove a barren, then you may have noticed that it is mostly made up of emaciated urchins and little else. An underwater ghost town. We relocate urchins, thus acting as an urchin predator in the restoration site, and release the pressure on the kelp. If you come across an urchin barren in SoCal right now, it is highly likely it is due to the effects of overfishing.
If you want to help reverse the degradation, then come out on our boat, go diving, pull up urchins, plant sporophyll bags, monitor, and basically become part of the restoration process!
