Sea Urchin's as chum?

[blitzpb]

On my last Casino Point Dive I happened upon some peopl who were feeding the fishes fresh Urchin Snacks. There were tons of fish around and it looked quite interesting to have the fish literally eat out of your hand. Im wondering if prying and feeding the Urchin's to the fish is frowned upon.

Thanks,

Nick

 

[Bob3]

It used to be common in areas infested with the critters, now it's usually frowned upon.

 

[Ann Marie]

Perhaps I'm wrong but since the park is a reserve I would consider killing urchins as 'taking' marine life. I try to make as little impact as possible when I am diving. But again, that is just me.

 

[ShakaZulu]

From feeding the Garibaldi’s, they have actually become pretty aggressive if they don't get fed in certain areas.

 

[scubapro5]

Perhaps I'm wrong but since the park is a reserve I would consider killing urchins as 'taking' marine life. I try to make as little impact as possible when I am diving. But again, that is just me.

I agree with Ann Marie with Casino Point being a reserve so it would be illigel.

In any other area I think it would be ok to feed a urchin to the fish since from what I was told too many Urchins could kill a reef,Please correct me if I am wrong?

 

[Scubaroo]

In any other area I think it would be ok to feed a urchin to the fish since from what I was told too many Urchins could kill a reef,Please correct me if I am wrong?

Why interfere with the ecosystem? As Shaka pointed out, this practice has apparently already affected the natural feeding behaviour of garibaldis. Unless there's manmade causes for sea urchin overpopulation, let nature run it's course.

 

[drbill]

It is definitely frowned upon in the park. In the days when urchins posed serious problems for kelp forests throughout southern California, there might have been reasons to do so. In some areas this may still be true.

However, the dive park can hardly be considered an "urchin barrens" where such practices might be useful. How often do you see an urchin of any species out in the open? Why not... the healthy sheephead population! Garibaldis probably only feed naturally on urchins after sheephead have broken them up (although they will nip at the tube feet).

So please don't kill the urchins- they are in good balance in the park. If you want to see fish gather, simply click two rocks together for a while and many species will come running.

Dr. Bill

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

At the last Wrinkles dive I noticed the Garibaldis were VERY agressive. I found it difficult to take pictures since these guys would not leave me alone even though I never fed them anything. Here is a picture of them following Melvin and I around the dive site. Clearly these guys have been fed too much!

http://www.scubapost.net/gallery/wrinkles11212004/scaledwrinkles112120040193

 

[blitzpb]

Thank you for the replies. Actually, from reading the posts it seems that no type of feeding, be it peas, or urchin, should be done. Would this be the general consesus?

Thanks for preventing me from being frowned at.

Nick

 

[gfisher4792]

Thank you for the replies. Actually, from reading the posts it seems that no type of feeding, be it peas, or urchin, should be done. Would this be the general consesus?

Thanks for preventing me from being frowned at.

Nick

Overall, yes, no feeding is the best way to interact with everything. Either you're killing marine life to feed other marine life (urchins) or you're introducing the critters to things that they're digestion systems are unfamiliar with (peas). As well as the above mentioned problems of altering their behavior towards divers.