University of Auckland - V Bay

Restoration Project

University of Auckland - V Bay

Restoration Objective:

Evaluate sea urchin removal as a tool for restoration

Site Selection Criteria:

1.8 ha area. Large, discrete area (e.g. bays, bounded by sand or narrow margins) to restrict sea urchin ingress. One of four sites chosen across the Hauraki Gulf with varying environmental conditions. Sea urchins removed in Dec 2020.

Cause Of Decline:

Overharvest of predators

Key Reasons For Decline:

Overgrazing

Scientific Paper

Large-scale one-off sea urchin removal promotes rapid kelp recovery in urchin barrens

Restoration ecology.
https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.14060

Site Observations: