Urchins (Stronglyocentrotus spp.): Section 4.6

Summary

• Increased ocean temperature in combination with changes in ocean currents may cause urchin populations to expand or be replaced by another species.
• Increases in ocean acidity, hypercapnia, and decreasing carbonate mineral saturation are intricately linked and have been shown to have negative impacts on all urchin life stages (pelagic larvae, juveniles and adults).
• Hypoxia is detrimental in sea urchins causing significantly lower feed intake and total feed consumption as well as a reduction in gonad growth.