California's coastal waters are home to a multitude of marine invertebrates (species lacking a bony structure); many of which are important to our state’s sport and commercial fisheries. Sea urchin have been targeted by divers since the 1970s in northern California near Fort Bragg and throughout the southern California Bight centered around Santa Barbara. Red sea urchin are harvested for their gonads, known as “uni,” which are typically available in sushi markets around the world. Purple sea urchin are also harvested for food, but their smaller size makes them less desirable. Visitors can learn more about urchin species identification, biology, habitat, geographic range, fishing methods, and more in the following links. NEW Information About Urchin Disaster Funds On March 18, 2020 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service allocated $3,329,343 in disaster relief assistance to the northern California commercial red sea urchin fishery due to a fishery failure in 2016 and 2017. NOAA also strongly recommends that funds be used to build resilience to buffer against future fishery disasters and strengthen the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of the fishery. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, in collaboration with the commercial fishery, will develop a spending plan that is based on and consistent with guidance provided by NOAA. Please email inquiries and comments to: UrchinDisaster@wildlife.ca.gov References NOAA Fisheries Disaster Determination for the Northern Red Sea Urchin Fishery in 2016 and 2017 Northern Red Urchin Fishery Disaster Relief: Proposed Spending Plan Presentation (PDF) CDFW Spending Plan Sent to PSMFC on May 1, 2021 (PDF) Request for Proposals from Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission - Kelp Restoration in California Urchin Fisheries (Pre-Proposal Deadline: November 19, 2021) California Sea Urchin Catch By Diver and Region 2013 (PDF) 2012 (PDF) 2011 (PDF) 2010 (PDF) 2009 (PDF) 2008 (PDF) 2007 (PDF) 2006 (PDF) 2005 (PDF) 2004 (PDF) 2003 (PDF) 2002 (PDF) 2001 (PDF) 2000 (PDF) 1999 (PDF) 1998 (PDF) By Fishing Location 2005-2013 (PDF) 2004-2009 (PDF) 1999-2003 (PDF) 1991-1998 (PDF) By Region and Month 2013 (PDF) 2012 (PDF) 2011 (PDF) 2010 (PDF) 2009 (PDF) By Diver Age Group Sea Urchin Catch by Diver Age Group 2008-2010 (PDF) Urchin Marketing Association California Sea Urchin Commission Other Urchin Information Life History Information for Selected California Marine Invertebrates and Plants Enhanced Status Report for Select Fisheries Including Red Sea Urchin Status of the Fisheries Reports Overview of the fisheries with historical reference for the following species Purple Sea Urchin - 2003 (PDF) Red Sea Urchin - 2003 (PDF) Purple Sea Urchin - 2001 (PDF) Red Sea Urchin - 2001 (PDF) Magazine and Newsletter Articles "Perfect Storm" Decimates Northern California Kelp Forests Marine Management News Blog Post, March 2016 Abalone and Red Sea Urchins Die During Red Tide in Northern California (PDF) Marine Management News, October 2011
Purple Sea Urchin with Warty Sea Cucumber and Garibaldi. CDFW Photo by D. Stein Red Sea Urchin. CDFW Photo by D. Stein