Sea Urchins Uncovered

Sea Urchins are an endless source of fascination for Scuba divers and snorkelers alike. Belonging to the same family as Sea Stars, sea cucumbers and brittle sea stars, the Sea Urchin is a slow moving creature that feeds mainly of algae, sea weed and kelp. They move around the ocean with the help of tiny tube like feet that are almost invisible to the naked eye. Common colors they found in include black and dull shades of green, olive, brown, purple, and red.

Widely found in oceans around the world, the Sea Urchin is actually considered a threat to marine environments, as they reproduce rapidly and can wipe out large areas of marine fauna causing barren wastelands underwater known as urchin barrens. In many countries sea otters which are a natural predator of the sea urchin have been introduced into the ecosystem just to keep the rapidly multiplying urchins in check. This has proved to be highly successful in British Columbia and in Monterrey Bay where urchin nibbling at the base of the giant kelp forest were causing large areas of kelp to get depleted.

Divers are especially wary of these creatures mainly due to the fact that accidental stings while walking in a shallow reef, or touching one accidentally while Scuba diving can be a painful proposition. The  spines of sea urchins remain in the wound making wound heal slowly. Sea urchins inject a small amount of venom when stinging, but the amount is negligible to cause any serious injury , around 10 species of Urchins are poisonous but there are a few that are deadly. Sea urchin stings must be washed thoroughly and rinsed with vinegar to wash out the stings and then watched over the next couple of days for signs of infection. Divers should be constantly vigilant where they place their hands, to avoid an accidental encounter with these spiny devils.

Despite the wary glances from divers, Sea urchins are considered a culinary delicacy in many places around the world, and the Urchin eggs or Roe are especially in demand. Certain cultures also believe that the sea urchin is a powerful aphrodisiac, and especially in Japan where the Urchin known as known as Uni  and is a prized delicacy. Uni or Urchin contains anandamide,  which is present in the human brain and other organs at very low levels, and activates dopamine or the reward circuit of the brain which may be why it could be considered an aphrodisiac.

Whether the Sea Urchin is considered an aphrodisiac or a culinary delicacy, a menace to marine eco systems or a nuisance to unwary divers, the Sea Urchin truly is a fascinating creature.

Photos by: Philippe Guillaume, hfabulous, Kamil Porembiński