Longspined Sea Urchin

sea-urchin long spined
© Tasmanian Government. Image Peter Gouldthorpe
Season: Open all year

bag limit-

 

possession limit-

 

boat limit-

Guide to symbols

bagBag Limit
housePossession Limit
boatBoat Limit

Minimum size

None
Measuring
Measured as the maximum diameter of the test (the hard shell), excluding the spines.

Other names

black urchin, spiny sea urchin, hollow-spined urchin


Scientific name

Centrostephanus rodgersii

Grows to


Up to

170mm

Identifying features


​The exoskeleton or body is a deep brown-red to black colour with long needle-like spines protruding from it.  These hollow spines can reach 9 cm in length and are a dark purplish to black colour with an iridescent green tinge.  The mouth is on the underside of the body.

​Handling

Take care if handling as their fragile spines can puncture skin and remain embedded.

Habitat

Longspined sea urchins live around intertidal rocky shores and in coastal waters to a depth of 35 metres.

Fishing information

Longspined 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. A range of projects addressing the impacts of longspined sea urchin have been funded by the Abalone Industry Reinvestment Fund.

Cooking

The roe is edible but its quality can vary seasonally.

Hotline

Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

0427 655 557

What to report? arrow button

Contact us

Recreational Fishing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries Licensing

Level 1, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au