Longspine sea urchin tastes like butter – which makes it a super delicious problem to eat.
There’s a big problem happening under the waves around the shores of Tasmania. We are losing important ocean forests that provide life sustaining habitat for our crayfish, abalone and a myriad of other fish, sea creatures and plants.
The culprit is the insatiable ball of spikes known as the long-spined sea urchin. When this urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii takes over an area it completely destroys everything in its path, transforming once-thriving kelp forests into lifeless barrens.
Scientists warn that without immediate action, these degraded ecosystems will struggle to recover, endangering fisheries, biodiversity, and marine industries.
A new documentary is shining a spotlight on the hidden environmental crisis unfolding in Australian waters—the long-spined sea urchins destruction of the Great Southern Reef.
White Rock, featuring acclaimed filmmaker and environmental advocate Damon Gameau, connects science, policy and sustainable seafood to reveal a path forward for Australia’s embattled reefs.
“When it comes to the ocean, so much of what’s happening lies out of sight and, as a result, out of mind. As divers and underwater filmmakers, we have a unique window into that world — and a responsibility to share it,” said director Stefan Andrews.
“Most people don’t get the chance to witness the beauty or the degradation of our reefs firsthand. Storytelling gives us a way to bring people below the surface and build real emotional connections with our local marine life, just as we do with Australia’s iconic land animals.”
This is an issue that unites fishers, conservationists, First Nations people as well as scientists and White Rock story invites the audience to join the conversation by showing that an ounce of prevention is worth a tonne of cures.
This moving documentary delves into the many solutions for fighting back the urchin, including the growing market to put the urchin on the plate.
In a preview screening in Hobart on 10 April, the chefs at Mures provided many great examples of how urchin roe can be consumed including as sashimi or oyster topper and even as an urchin roe martini.
Globally, urchins are a sought-after delicacy—prized in Japan, Europe, and the US—but in Australia, they are largely unharvested. Leading chefs and seafood innovators are now demonstrating how urchins can be transformed from an environmental problem into a valuable, sustainable industry.
“Urchins are one of Australia’s most overlooked seafood treasures,” said Athena Ko, CEO of The Roe Australia. “We have an abundance of them, and with the right preparation, they can stand alongside the best seafood in the world.”
However, demand alone won’t solve the issue. Scaling up urchin harvesting requires urgent investment, infrastructure and policy support. The Centro Task Force—a coalition of scientists, fishers and environmental groups—has developed a $55 million national plan to control urchin populations and restore kelp forests.
The plan includes targeted reef monitoring, expanded commercial harvesting and First Nations-led marine management strategies.
“The cost of removing the urchins is huge, but the cost of inaction is more,” said Dr Scott Bennett, marine scientists and co-producer of White Rock.
Director Stefan Andrews siad that while our climate and oceans are changing, there are things we can do — and individual actions still matter. Whether it’s using your voice to push for federal investment in the Great Southern Reef, making informed choices about seafood or simply starting conversations with friends and family, each of us has a role to play.
The White Rock Q&A screening tour will begin with its premiere launch in Hobart at 17:30 on 16 April at the State Cinema.
The Great Southern Reef Foundation will be releasing school resources and running teacher workshops as part of their impact campaign, with the film set to reach schools later this year.
Find a screening and show your support here: https://greatsouthernreef.com/white-rock-tour
Learn more about the $55M Centro Task Force Plan here.
Sign the petition here.
Lara van Raay is a documentarian, field producer and social impact producer based in Tasmania.
