Sea urchins are dying in the Caribbean at a pace could rival 1983

[Montanan]

Sea urchins are dying across the Caribbean at a pace scientists say could rival a mass die-off that last occurred in 1983; the trend could further decimate already frail coral reefs in the region.

A growing number of reports about dying sea urchins from islands including Antigua, St. Lucia, Dominica, Jamaica, St. Vincent, Saba and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as Cozumel in Mexico.

. . .

At first, the mortality event was linked only to black sea urchins — Diadema antillarum — which are recognizable by their extremely long, skinny spines. But two other species have since been affected, including the rock boring sea urchin and the West Indian sea egg.

. . .

The deaths are of concern because sea urchins are herbivores known for being efficient grazers that remove macro algae from coral reefs and clear space for baby sea corals to attach themselves

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sea-urc...f04a57763eaae3

https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-ba...6b31009abb8808

[contrail]

Also happening quite severely in the BVI.

[GordMay]

Diadema Response Network: Concerns for Diadema (sea urchins)
➥ https://www.agrra.org/sea-urchin-die-off/

Your help is needed!
Report sightings of healthy, sick, or dead urchins
Help us track sea urchin health in the Caribbean by adding your observations of healthy, sick, or dead urchins. This survey will allow us to determine the spatial extent of the die-offs and broadcast their chronology in real time. It is as important to report healthy populations of Diadema as ones that are rapidly dying.
Submit report here ➥ https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/7...82c24c4e0d1e98