As Australia's ABC News reported May 23, government has allowed local commercial fishermen to catch and sell sea urchins due to the flooding of sea urchins in Australia, which has led to the destruction of wetland biodiversity and seaweed habitat. Strive to protect the ecology and fishermen profit win-win.
Volunteers have smashed more than 57,000 sea urchins on the bottom of the sea last year, but have failed to stop their rapid reproduction, which has now caused a spot in Nooramunga Ocean Park to be completely covered by purple sea urchins, according to reports.
Gerard Delaney, acting manager of the South Gypsland division of Parks Victoria, said the authorities could not explain the recent surge in sea urchins, but the proliferation of sea urchins did put wetland biodiversity in the region at risk. Because they ate so much seaweed that the sea floor was completely covered by sea urchins and threatened their habitat, Mr. Delaney said, because these sea urchins are native species, the authorities want them to remain. So what they really need is partial clearance, so working with the seafood industry should be the best solution.
Because sea urchins are so large, there is no need to worry about overfishing, Mr. Delaney said, but leave a portion of it in the Gulf of Kona. If the seafood industry gains well, the authorities will do another sea urchin fishing at the end of the year. "if these measures don't solve the problem, we'll still find a way to protect the seaweed," Mr. Delaney said.
Michael Hobson, a fifth-generation fisherman from Port Albert, also runs a local seafood restaurant. He also took part in discussions on the project and said the plan was aimed more at solving ecological problems than simply for economic gains. He said the plan is a very cost-effective solution to the ecological environment, is a true win-win situation. Finally, he said, "I am looking forward to seeing sea urchins on the menu of my restaurant, and this should also be a great experience for the public."