[scubazealous]

I am very excited for the results of the urchin culling experiment Fish and Wildlife has allowed in Monterey. There is debate in the scientific community if allowing the public to kill urchins will hurt or help the cause.

Many divers in the area (mostly from out of town) think they can help the kelp forests by smashing them with whatever tools they can. I have even found a lost hammer while diving a popular site in Monterey.

While smashing effectively ends the life of the urchins, it also releases their spawn and can cause a even worse environmental disaster. It is also not an effective solution for the whole coast and will only work to clear areas frequented by divers.

[riffraff]

> it also releases their spawn and can cause a even worse environmental disaster

Wouldn't the spawn be released anyway? I can see how this strategy would be ineffective, but how is it worse?

[the_cramer]

They are probably pointing out that there could be a better way to kill/remove/move the urchin without releasing the spawn.

Although it's very hard to get them off their spot and handling them.

[ratsforhorses]

Why not combine reducing their number with supplying a "new" market for those who enjoy eating them? https://triedandsupplied.com/saucydressings/how-to-eat-sea-u...

[mkingston]

NZ has a similar problem with urchin ("Kina", in NZ) barrens. The urchins in NZ urchin barrens, as in CA, are malnourished and are subsequently difficult and unproductive to eat as they contain very little actual meat.