Red Sea Urchin: Conservation Importance, Culinary Value, And Threats
The red sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus) is a marine invertebrate with a spherical body and five-fold symmetry. It is an important herbivore in rocky coastal ecosystems, maintaining healthy kelp forests and providing a food source for predators like sea otters. However, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change pose threats to its conservation status. The sea urchin is also a culinary delicacy and has medicinal uses, but precautions must be taken due to the presence of tetrodotoxin, a neurotoxin. Its ecological significance, culinary value, and vulnerability highlight the need for responsible management and conservation efforts to preserve this valuable marine species.
