green sea urchin

Managing The Population

Fast Facts - Annual data shows that the catch rate of Green Sea Urchins has dropped more than 65% since 1997 - In Zone 1, the recorded biomass of urchins peaked at 33,300 tons in 1987. In 2002, it had plummeted to about 8,500 tons.- In Zone 2, sea urchin stocks have dropped 15-20% since 1980, and 10-15% in Zone 1. In both zones, however, harvest rates have exceeded sustainable levels.

Managing The Green Sea Urchin Population

Trying to Recover the Industry

- The State of Maine started restricting the number of urchin diving licenses to prevent further damage to the Green Sea Urchin population- The harvesting season is closed from May 15th to August 15th. And harvesting at night is prohibited.- Researchers at DMR record catch rates, boat landings, urchin biomass, and abundance of seaweed and crabs in 2 Zones along Maine's coast in order to be able to predict urchin populations and organize a management system.

Recorded biomass of Green Sea Urchins in zones 1 and 2 of Maine's coast.

Local urchin fisherman off the coast of Maine