Species
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Red sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus; Purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus |
Life history
(biology, habitat, range) |
Range subtidal throughout CA; Purple abundant in the intertidal
Key ecological role (e.g. kelp forest communities); sea otter prey
Red can grow much larger than purple; long-lived invertebrates
Sexually mature at 2” test diameter; external fertilization (success density-dependent)
Growth highly dependent on food availability |
Stock assessment status |
Fully exploited; red harvestable biomass low in N CA and seemingly declining in S CA
S CA industry involved in commissioning a peer-reviewed stock assessment for Loma Prieta Kelp Beds in 2007
Comparatively fewer Purple landings |
Vulnerability |
Landings declined at the statewide level; percentage of legal-size urchins has declined in certain areas |
Protected/declared species interactions |
Food source for sea otters |
Gear types |
Dive fishery |
Gear specifications |
Rakes, airlifts and other handheld gear may be used when diving; Commission may limit number of permits |
Associated conservation concerns |
N/A |
Management, commercial |
Jurisdiction(s) |
California Fish and Game Commission |
FMP |
No; has been on the DFG priority list for one since 2001 |
Code sections |
Title 14 §120.7; FGC §9054-55 |
TAC |
No
Average red sea urchin landings weight was 12,813,450 lbs for 1997-2007
2006 commercial landings weight was 10,659,500 lbs for a value of $5,147,013
(see graphs below) |
Restricted access |
Non-transferable diving permit with capacity goal of 300, effective 1989; 306 issued in 2007 (crewmember permit is open access with 111 issued in 2007)
New permittees by lottery
Logbook requirement
Annual landing requirement for renewal of permit |
Current seasons, size limits, other restrictions |
Red Sea Urchin season: open 7 days Nov-May; open M-Th Jun-Oct
Red Sea Urchin size limits: S Cal 3.25” test diameter minimum; N Cal 3.5” test diameter minimum |
Fishery closures/ MPAs |
No commercial take in state marine reserves or parks
Gerstle Cove area, Sonoma County and S Caspar Point area, Mendocino county closed |
Proposed regulations |
An increase in fishing days (by 42) was voted in by the Commission 4/11/08; CSUC and other industry reps explained that weather is limiting factor in fishing and more open calendar days needed to maintain market supply |
Recreational component |
Small rec fishery in N Cal |
Species |
Purple urchin only |
Regulations |
Daily bag/possession limit of 35 urchins |
Social context |
Participation statewide |
205 permit holders landed receipts in 2006 |
Participation by area |
Fishery is mainly in S Cal, out of San Diego and Santa Barbara (29 permit holders landed in North in 2006) |
Fishing and trade organizations |
California Sea Urchin Commission (www.calurchin.org) a mandated program of the CA Dept of Food and Agriculture
San Diego Waterman’s Association |
Seafood industry context |
Product forms |
Gonads (roe) – “Uni” in Japanese |
Seafood selector status |
N/A |
MSC certification status |
N/A |
Potential for value added |
Unknown |
Miscellaneous |
Sources |
DFG Marine Region Sea Urchin Fishery http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/seaurchin/index.asp
DFG Marine Region 2004. Annual Status of the Fisheries Report Through 2003. Red Sea Urchin http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/seaurchin/index.asp; Purple Sea Urchin http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/status/report2003/purplesu.pdf
DFG Marine Region 2001. California’s Living Marine Resources: A Status Report. Red Sea Urchin http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/status/red_sea_urchin.pdf; Purple Sea Urchin http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/status/purple_sea_urchin.pdf
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