By Canadian Press

B.C’s pink sea urchins are on the move to shallower waters thanks to climate change

Feb 7, 2023 | 12:43 PM

VANCOUVER — Pink sea urchins off the coast of Vancouver Island are expanding into shallower waters, in what researchers say is an indication of how rapidly climate change is affecting ocean life.

Researchers at Memorial University, Ocean Networks Canada and the University of Victoria found the urchins were moving into shallower water at an average rate of 3.5 metres per year as climate change and warming water reduce oxygen levels and food sources at lower depths.

The study’s co-author Rylan Command says the movement of the pink urchins could, over time, lead to them replacing other species, like red sea urchin harvested in fisheries.

Researchers looked at 14 years of data including before, during and after the marine heat wave that persisted in the Pacific Ocean between 2013 to 2016 and became known as “The Blob.”

Study co-author Fabio De Leo, who’s with Oceans Network Canada, says warming from The Blob destroyed much of the kelp the urchins eat causing their populations to drop off dramatically.

new mayor

Spring Mayoral by-election called in Ladysmith

12h ago

holiday check stops

Nanaimo motorists shine during province-wide crackdown

15h ago

targeted job action

Striking Nanaimo postal workers disrupt Purolator operations

19h ago

The researchers say the warmer-than-normal surface temperatures also disrupted the ocean process known as “upwelling” when nutrient-rich water from lower depths cycles up to the surface, potentially affecting where the urchins find food.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 7, 2023.

The Canadian Press