Posted by Dr Bill on March 11, 2003 at 23:50:02:
In Reply to: Re: Killing urchins at Catalina's Casino Point posted by Steve on March 07, 2003 at 21:40:28:
The species that are generally being killed to feed fish in the Dive Park are Centrostephanus (the Coronado urchin) and the red urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus). Neither of these species are implicated in destruction of kelp beds. The purple urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus)is the one I usually see creating urchin barrens on the northern Channel Islands yet these aren't the ones divers kill here in the Park. They generally are well hidden in crevices and under rocks.