Despite this positive news, there is still much needed work in expanding international markets, product development, and increasing the profitability and sustainability of the sector for long term sea urchin control.

In a globally changing climate with limited resources, it will be increasingly important for adaption methods to be financially viable, as well as ecologically significant.

Regionally variable catch subsidies are re-directing fishing effort along the coastline to maximise benefit. Without these the urchin impact would be significantly worse.

The research shows that the harvest of Longspined Sea Urchins is limiting the destruction of kelp reefs along Tasmania’s East Coast, home to valuable Rock Lobster and Abalone fisheries.

We also have PhD on Red Handfish habitat enhancement by sea urchin management, which contains scientific diving components.