Red Sea Urchin

Red sea urchins live in subtidal kelp forests along the West Coast from Alaska to the southern end of Baja California. They are long-lived, often reaching 50 years in age in California and up to100 years in the northern extent of their range. Growing  to seven inches in diameter, they are encased by many three-inch-long spines. Red sea urchins are omnivorous and feed extensively on leafy seaweeds such as giant kelp, bull kelp and brown algae. When sea urchin populations increase dramatically, they are capable of decimating kelp forests. Spiny lobsters, sheephead and sea otters are significant red sea urchin predators.

Overall availability

Red sea urchins are fished in California and Washington. In California, they are available year-round. In Washington, they are available from fall through spring. Red sea urchin are typically sold as live or fresh products at local markets, with the roe (known as ‘uni’ in Japan) highly sought. While the commercial red sea urchin market initially began as an export market to Japan, today demand for red sea urchin has grown in US markets. 

Management

Red sea urchins are fished by hand by commercial divers. The fishery is independently managed by each state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (CA, WA). In WA, the fishery is co-managed by the state and Treaty Tribes such as the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and Tulalip Tribes.