Divers report ‘shocking’ absence of sea eggs along Barbados’ coasts

Barbadians who depend on the sea egg season for a boost in their  income may be disappointed this year as a search of the reefs around the island have revealed an absence of the sea urchin. Those looking forward to the tasty treat, will also have a longer wait.

In fact, investigating divers predict that the indefinite ban on sea egg harvesting may not be lifted any time soon, since the reefs are devoid of the delicacy.

Though Government has made no formal announcement on the ban, the divers say the low sea egg population suggests that it would not be wise to open up for the traditional season in the latter part of the year.

The two expert divers, who normally carry out annual exploratory surveys on behalf of the Fisheries Division, investigated the south, east and northern coasts for evidence of sea egg activity on Wednesday and were shocked at what they found. The division  normally uses their findings to determine whether the ban is lifted or remains in place.

Steven Bourne, who surveys the South Coast areas along Gemswick, Paragon, Silver Sands and Atlantic Shores said there was nothing good to highlight.

“I saw nothing, nothing. All I saw was a few dead shells like something had killed the sea eggs. What is worrying is that they were not old but young. It is not something unusual, as I saw it happen way back in the 90’s,” he said. “Another diver who usually surveys the northern side told me he didn’t see any sea eggs either.”

Expert Diver Allan Bradshaw hardly saw sea eggs, but he got this conch shell with its succulent meat.

Bourne said this development was quite shocking to him as he thought the young sea eggs other divers reported seeing in December would have matured by now.

He added that there was “a lot of healthy vegetation” on the reefs and this also made him concerned when he saw the state of the sea eggs.

“We have to wait and see what happens next year, if another hatch will come or not.”

Allan Bradshaw, who surveys the East Coast spots including Tent Bay, Glenburnie Beach, Congor Bay, Consett Bay and Skeete’s Bay, said that along that strip only three sea eggs were spotted, noting that this was one of the most disappointing sightings he has ever encountered.

“I saw two single sea eggs about the size of two golf balls and one of the other divers with me said he saw one about the size of a quarter; We saw them while diving out Sam Lord’s Castle. This is one of the worst times I have seen sea eggs along this side of the island,” he said.

Bradshaw said he did not believe poaching was the sole contributor to the depletion of the urchins, suggesting that more research needed to be done to find out what was causing the decline of the sea eggs and what could be done to replenish the reefs.

“There are a lot of areas that had sea eggs that I know for sure no one poached but they are gone but we need to do more research into this whole thing.”

He predicted that the season would remain closed this year.

“For sure I won’t say there would be a season. Although some may say there should be a season that there has to be sea eggs out there. Every year it’s the same thing; there is always that kind of drama. But I would say there is no reason for there to be a season.”

The indefinite ban on harvesting sea eggs was implemented in 2005 due to extremely low quantities of the urchins in the island’s waters.

However, it was lifted in 2015 and 2016. In 2019 the ban was lifted from Monday September 15 until Monday October 14.

Sea eggs are considered a local delicacy and they usually provide divers and breakers with a lucrative bounty as a pound of roe is usually sold at $60 or $70.

The best season in recent years was said to be in 2015. Back in 2019, biologist Chris Barker valued that year’s harvest at $1.2 million, which equated to approximately 17 000 to 20 000 pounds of roe. sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb