Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Not as many Sea Urchin’s on the sand

Not as many Sea Urchin’s on the sand (reply)

Quadra Paul — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 21:13:33 +0000

As a former "Urchin Diver" from BC, maybe I can enlighten you, DaveJ. If you spear them, they will die. They are on the sand for only a very short time. Both the males and females release gametes into the water where they produce fertilized eggs which eventually settle out and attach them selves to a rocky substrate. This substrate is normally where urchins live. Leave them alone!

Not as many Sea Urchin’s on the sand (reply)

Talley Ho — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 19:14:59 +0000

This morning while paddling along la Ropa, we saw significantly fewer urchins that we did yesterday.

Getting in the water for our swim, we thought the water was a little cooler, but didn't have a thermometer with us. Didn't see a single urchin along our route, when for the last week or two we have seen about a dozen scattered around.

Hopefully this means the water temperature "window" that they need for breeding is gone.

Sea Urchin’s in the sand (reply)

hromero — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 18:08:04 +0000

I love this response! Thank you Talley Ho for taking the time to provide an educated and meaningful response.

Sea Urchin’s in the sand (reply)

midalake — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 01:28:57 +0000

While swimmers LaRopa I’m seeing sea urchin in the sand, mostly in 10-15 feet of water, but I don’t remember this problem in past years. I’m thinking of trying to remove them before they take over., maybe spear them and bring to deeper water. If anyone stepped on one it would ruin their day. I now always use my swim goggles to check out the sand while playing in the surf.
Is it legal spear them? Suggestions to remove them?

Humm, water must be cooling off. Never see many Urchins until the cold water moves in

Sea Urchin’s in the sand (reply)

Talley Ho — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 21:09:14 +0000

Wow, how to say this. The urchins are doing their "normal" thing, when the water hits the right temps they move to shallower water for breeding. Since their eggs and sperm are just released into the water, it makes sense for them to move into groups. That is what is happening right now. It will end soon, and you won't see them until conditions are perfect for spawning again. On that note, do you really want to just kill them? How about being very careful about where you walk or sit and not hurt them or get their spines in you? We see them daily when we paddle and swim, but haven't seen them in very shallow water. Maybe do your beach time in a slightly different area and avoid them? PLEASE don't just kill them!!!!!

IF you get stuck..... This from two former commercial sea urchin divers, do your best to pull out the spines. They are very brittle and will likely break off in your skin. Don't dig for them, they will just continue to break and shatter, and you'll end up with a hole in you, with the spine pieces still there. Ignore them the best you can, and if necessary apply an antibiotic cream. That's it. Infections really don't happen. The one in my knee cap and the one in my sweeties knuckle took over a year to come out. But they did, and in the end, no joint damage, just pain until they came out. Just be careful and don't step or sit on them!!!!

If you crack their shells, they die.

Sea Urchin’s in the sand

daveJ — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 19:45:25 +0000

While swimmers LaRopa I’m seeing sea urchin in the sand, mostly in 10-15 feet of water, but I don’t remember this problem in past years. I’m thinking of trying to remove them before they take over., maybe spear them and bring to deeper water. If anyone stepped on one it would ruin their day. I now always use my swim goggles to check out the sand while playing in the surf.
Is it legal spear them? Suggestions to remove them?