The long spine sea urchin, Centrostephanus rodgersii, or Centro is native to NSW, and has expanded its range into eastern Tasmania in recent decades in response to climate change. First observed in Tasmania in the 1970’s, it is estimated that the population in Tasmania has now grown to over 20 million urchins. The overpopulation of Centro leads to the overgrazing and collapse of kelp forests into barrens – areas denuded of seaweeds and associated reef species – including important commercial species like abalone. Over the past 20 years barrens have increased across Tasmania’s east coast from 2% to 15% of reefs, with projections that this could rise to 50% by 2030 if left unchecked.

In response to this emerging crisis, a Centro fishery has established on Tasmania’s east coast to harvest the urchins and help prevent further loss of kelp forests. The fishery is supported by a variable subsidies program whereby fishers are incentivised to fish areas in most need of urchin control. The subsidy program has helped grow the fishery to an annual harvest of 500 T, a level which has significantly slowed the increase in barren formation and is supporting regional jobs in Tasmania.

More information at: https://greatsouthernreef.com/long-spined-sea-urchin