Ron in Depth

One of our own cruising by Mt Baker this morning in the Mists of the Salish sea. The MAX BERNAYS

In Depth: on the Ocean’s Spiky Survivors

Sea urchins are far more complex than they appear at first glance. These images, captured locally in the Pacific Northwest, show the Green Sea Urchin and the Red Sea Urchin, both of which play a massive role in our underwater ecosystems.

Beyond the sharp spines, here are three facts about their unique biology and impact:

-They see and breathe through their feet. The long, flexible tubes visible between the spines are called tube feet. Urchins use these for walking, breathing, and even sensing light. It is as if they have hundreds of tiny eyes and lungs distributed across their bodies.

-They are essentially "immortal." Researchers determined that Red Sea Urchins can live for over 200 years. Scientists proved this by tracking "bomb carbon" signatures from 1950s nuclear testing found in their skeletons. Unlike most creatures, they do not seem to age biologically; a 100 year old urchin is just as healthy and fertile as a 10 year old.

-They are responsible for a delicate ecological balance. Urchins are the primary gardeners of the sea, grazing on kelp to keep reefs healthy. However, when natural predators like sea otters or sunflower stars are missing, urchin populations explode. They turn into spiky vacuums that can devour entire kelp forests, leaving behind bare rock areas known as urchin barrens.

Nature is a delicate dance where one small creature can completely transform an entire world.

Between the vibrant purple and the lime green, which one do you find more striking?

I always love to see the decorator crabs in action. Its amazing how well they blend in to their surroundings. Did you know that if you moved them somewhere else, they would strip themselves and cover themselves with new camouflage within 24 hours. Masters of their domain

90 feet down.

This little sculpin is built to disappear.

Those leaf-like “eyebrows” are called cirri. They help it blend in and feel what’s happening around it.

Big eyes help it pick up movement in the darker water.

Sit still and wait... dinner it coming

Only two of us slipped in between stronger current swings and caught a slack that was absolutely worth it… likely the last good window for a few weeks looking at the charts.

Karen (fish nerd extraordinaire) came through with the find: a juvenile Diamondback Nudibranch.

Neither of us could remember seeing them here before (at least not in recent memory). Ogden, sure… but not this spot.

Either way, always a welcome sight.
So ornate… and even better when they show up where you don’t expect them.

We all voted yesterday and feel that this would work well as our new dive boat. Hopefully there is a air compressor on board :) MV Cascadia