Longspined Sea Urchin are large Australian sea urchins, native to NSW, that are extending their range south with warming waters.
Centrostephanus rodgersii, or ‘Centro’ for short, are a significant threat to Tasmania’s rocky reef ecosystems, as they devour almost all seaweed, kelp and algae species.
Once they’ve stripped the rocks bare, they continue to populate these sparse barrens indefinitely, creating an aquatic desert that displaces almost all reef species.
A combined effort from governments, industries, and communities is required to tackle this problem. Opportunities exist for fishers, divers, and adventurous diners.
Know your Centro, and what you can do to help!