Getting Permission to Help
Petition 2020-001: Sea Urchin Removal & Kelp Restoration
Our petition to remove an unlimited number of purple and red urchins was approved for TANKER'S REEF only. The petition requested two sites but the Lovers Point SMR was not approved. We hope that we will be successful at Tanker's Reef in 2021 and scale up kelp restoration into other areas.
Petition 2020-001 asked to allow recreational divers with a fishing license to remove 40 gallons per diver per day from limited areas in Monterey. Our goal is to reduce urchin populations to their normal, sustainable level so kelp forests can re-grow. All divers are encouraged to sign up for the newsletter to be notified of opportunities to participate in removal efforts. Complete text of Petition 2020-001 >
Tanker's Reef approved for kelp restoration
Petition 2020-001 asked to amend recreational fishing rules to allow unlimited numbers of purple and red urchins to be culled with divers with hammers at Tanker's Reef in Monterey. Petition 2020-001 was for two sites, but the permitted boundary is only allowed on the site outside of the Marine Protected Areas. Put a pin in that.
Tanker's Reef urchin removal & kelp restoration
Tanker's Reef urchin removal & kelp restoration
Tanker's Reef urchin removal & kelp restoration
Tanker’s Reef has in past years been a giant kelp forest of about 20 acres. The shale reefs here have become urchin barrens with no kelp canopy.
Tanker’s reef is not in a Marine Protected Area and has easy access via a wide, sandy beach and has ample parking for divers.
This location is normally in the wave shadow of Point Pinos and the Breakwater jetty, making it diveable in all but the most severe conditions from boat or from shore.The urchin barren is a shallow 30 to 40 feet depth which makes it an easy, safe recreational dive.
Lovers Cove urchin removal & kelp restoration
Tanker's Reef urchin removal & kelp restoration
Tanker's Reef urchin removal & kelp restoration
Lovers Cove supported one of the richest kelp forests in southern Monterey Bay until 2017, when it was decimated by urchins. There is only one small kelp stand remaining on the granite reefs near the entrance to the cove. The plan is to remove urchins and restore kelp on the west side. The lone remaining kelp hopefully can re-seed the cove.
THIS SITE WAS NOT APPROVED FOR CULLING.