Chavodel8en
Contributor
I am hoping that this thread can be a resource for folks to plan their dives, and list sites that may be impacted by urchins.
I hear alot of second or third hand reports, so hopefully folks can be fairly accurate here. For example, I have not dove S. Monastery or Lovers Point in years, bc I heard those sites are urchin barrens. However, I do not actually know for sure, as I have no first hand evidence. Although Im pretty sure about S. Monastery, bc anyone driving by can see there has been no kelp on the surface for years.
I can say with my own eyes that last year, on the way to HITW, it was a complete moonscape, so I turned the dive to Middle Reef. Last week, Middle Reef had large areas overrun w/ urchins, but a few patches of healthy kelp.
HITW - urchin barren
Middle Reef - large areas overrun by urchins
Anyone care to add or correct/edit?.
I hear alot of second or third hand reports, so hopefully folks can be fairly accurate here. For example, I have not dove S. Monastery or Lovers Point in years, bc I heard those sites are urchin barrens. However, I do not actually know for sure, as I have no first hand evidence. Although Im pretty sure about S. Monastery, bc anyone driving by can see there has been no kelp on the surface for years.
I can say with my own eyes that last year, on the way to HITW, it was a complete moonscape, so I turned the dive to Middle Reef. Last week, Middle Reef had large areas overrun w/ urchins, but a few patches of healthy kelp.
HITW - urchin barren
Middle Reef - large areas overrun by urchins
Anyone care to add or correct/edit?.