IMAS: Who's been eating all the kelp?
Long spine sea urchins have a ferocious appetite. How do we stop them? The long spine sea urchin can have devastating impacts on reefs due to overgrazing, which creates expansive urchin barrens. This results in negative impacts on kelp beds and reef dependent species such as abalone, rock lobster and fish. IMAS scientists have conducted research on the urchin and associated barrens along the Tasmanian coast for more than seventeen years. This is the story of how we can combat these invasive urchins and win back our reefs. More information on the scientific studies: http://www.imas.utas.edu.au/urchins This animation was made in collaboration with IMAS and the Tasmanian Government.