Catching Sea Urchins: Expert Tips for Safely Harvesting in Coastal Waters

The coastline of Tasmania is a treasure trove of surprises, and one of the most delightful activities you can indulge in is collecting sea urchins. These spiky creatures are abundant along the shores, and many enthusiasts are drawn to the exquisite taste of their roe. Imagine savoring the fresh, sweet flavor of the sea urchin, enhanced by the subtle saltiness of the seawater, right by the beach—it’s an experience that’s simply irresistible!

Not only is it a fun and relaxing pastime, but it also offers the thrill of gathering a bounty before you even realize it. And if you’re lucky, you might even have the company of stingrays and seals as they swim gracefully alongside you.

Collecting sea urchins is not just a recreational activity; it also plays a crucial role in ecological conservation. Due to the absence of natural predators and the impact of climate change, the population of sea urchins in Tasmania has skyrocketed, leading to significant damage to the kelp forests. For more detailed information, you can refer to the NRM South report, “Tackling Longspined Sea Urchins on Tasmania’s east coast.”

Guide
✨Collection Time
Season: The best time to collect sea urchins is from late summer to early autumn when the water is warmer and the roe is at its fullest.
Tide: Low tide is ideal, as it exposes numerous sea urchins on the shallows or more accessible rocks.
Time: Avoid windy weather for a more pleasant and safer experience.
Check tides and wind on WillyWeather

🌊Wetsuit?
✅Yes! Even in the summer, the waters of Tasmania can be quite chilly. While locals may brave the cold, a wetsuit is highly recommended.
Recommended thickness: 3-7 mm (summer to winter), with optional hat, gloves, and boots.
❗️If you’re only collecting in the intertidal zone, non-slip water or rain shoes, along with gloves, will suffice.

📍Location
Sea urchins are distributed along various coastlines (p12, 13):
– Bicheno & Freycinet Peninsula: Home to dense populations of long-spine sea urchins.
– Bruny Island & South Arm: Easy to find sea urchins near the shore.
– Eaglehawk Neck: Abundant in sea urchins, but be prepared for larger waves.

– Low Head: Shallow at low tide, making rain shoes sufficient.
– Rocky Cape: A bit further from the city, but the area to the left of the lighthouse at the boat ramp is densely populated with sea urchins in very shallow water.

💦Water Depth
– 0.5-1m: Ideal for hand collection, especially during low tide when sea urchins are visible on the rocks.
– 1-5m: This depth is where you’ll find the highest quality sea urchins.
– 5-10m: Some of the best quality sea urchins are found in slightly deeper waters, further from the shore. However, this requires some diving experience.
Check water depth on C-MAP

Gear Checklist
✅Wetsuit
✅Gloves
✅Booties or reef shoes
✅Dive knife or small pick
✅Mesh bag or bucket
✅Snorkel & mask
✅Weight belt
✅Fins