Initiation of Review of Management Plan for Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries; Request for Information

An individual is requesting that regulations be opened to allow for more hammering or smashing of purple urchins in the Greater Farallones and Cordell Banks areas. The commenter argues that reducing the urchin population will help kelp forests recover.

A recreational diver who has spent decades in the area argues that crushing urchins is more efficient and environmentally beneficial than removing them. The commenter supports the action by requesting that recreational divers be allowed to crush urchins and suggests a closure of hunting in specific areas to protect local wildlife.

Ross Bruce suggests that the management plan should allow for purple urchin culling throughout the sanctuary. He argues that culling is more efficient than gathering and dumping, as it accelerates kelp growth and keeps nutrients within the local ecology.