Handling
Take care if handling as their fragile spines can puncture skin and remain embedded.
Habitat
Long-spined sea urchins live around intertidal rocky shores and in coastal waters to a depth of 35 metres.
Fishing information
Long-spined sea urchins are an invasive species that is known to overgraze on seaweeds and algae which are a key habitat for abalone and rock lobster. Research is underway to test the potential of large rock lobster which predates on the urchin as an effective natural control to reduce urchin numbers. Two long-spined sea urchin research areas exist at Elephant Rock near St Helens and North Bay on the Forestier Peninsula where possession of specially marked rock lobster is not allowed.
Cooking
The roe is edible but its quality can vary seasonally.