Article on the Northern California kelp die-off

https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/10/10/sea-urchins-are-laying-waste-to-kelp-forests-and-an-entire-ecosystem

The outlook seems bleak... I wonder if there is a disease that affects only sea urchins, as it was for the disease that affected the sea stars mentioned in the article...

Yeah, it's bleak for sure, and pretty much unprecedented. If DFW would lift the urchin limit on purples, I wonder if an organized effort by divers could make a difference. One cove at a time, clear out the urchins, and hopefully the kelp could take root before more urchins move in.

Yeah, it's bleak for sure, and pretty much unprecedented. If DFW would lift the urchin limit on purples, I wonder if an organized effort by divers could make a difference. One cove at a time, clear out the urchins, and hopefully the kelp could take root before more urchins move in.

And identify a market for the purple urchin waste.  Money would drive this more than altruistic intentions.

-Allen

Yeah, it's bleak for sure, and pretty much unprecedented. If DFW would lift the urchin limit on purples, I wonder if an organized effort by divers could make a difference. One cove at a time, clear out the urchins, and hopefully the kelp could take root before more urchins move in.

And identify a market for the purple urchin waste.  Money would drive this more than altruistic intentions.

-Allen

I'm so sick of those little f*ckers...pull out spines from all over my body after every dive it seems.

 

Instead of pulling urchin one by one.
Can sea star be planted? Drop them off hundreds at every coves known to have heavy urchin populations.

Instead of pulling urchin one by one.
Can sea star be planted? Drop them off hundreds at every coves known to have heavy urchin populations.

Salmon can be bred and planted, abalone, WSB, trout, the list of bred and planted species is pretty long, why not some of the disease resistant starfish,  Of course man has been making mistakes trying to help with mother nature for a long time.

One of the things pointed out in the article is the longterm prognosis,  Perhaps at least cordon off some spaces on the coast and physically remove the urchins, call'em safe zones for kelp. If you just target kelp survival the areas wouldn't have to be that big.



 

I'll never forget a camping trip I took to Salt Point in the mid-70's.  My friend's parents were spearfishermen.  We played in the tide pools and there was so much life it made the Steinhart exhibits look barren.  My family built a house in Timber Cove about 5 years ago, so the kids and I have spent a lot of time crawling around tide pools.  The first thing I noticed was an absence of starfish.  There were so many kinds and colors before.  Then this past winter we found dozens of abs dead on Still Water beach (we walk there for sunsets).  They were all sizes.  It made me sad. 

This year we have seen more starfish, mostly at Stump Beach. I'm hopeful they are returning.  I really like the idea of planting them. Any ideas on who we lobby to encourage this? DFW?

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=80734.0

Ron's 11 incher turned out to be black and encrusted with barnacles on the inside of the shell - it was dying for sure.  The abs are starving.  If they lift up to grab and eat food the urchins crowd in and kill them, so they don't lift up for food...

The article is right about the severity of the problem overall, but I did just dive in Del Norte County last week (just south of the Oregon border), and there was lots of kelp and only a 'normal' amount of urchins.  They should get their facts straight.  I think it's important that a comprehensive inventory is completed, but with how the current government views/funds science I doubt it'll happen.

A simple $3.00 solution.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/hammers/16-oz-rip-hammer-with-fiberglass-handle-47873.html

A simple $3.00 solution.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/hammers/16-oz-rip-hammer-with-fiberglass-handle-47873.html

That’s to fancy.  Dollar store hammer works just fine.