Big Islanders asked to keep eye out for sick, dying urchins

Eyes on the Reef coordinators have recently received reports of apparently sick and/or dying collector urchins near Hawaii Kai on Oahu.

A partnership has identified that it is a disease that is affecting the urchins, also known as Tripneustes gratilla, in the Oahu area, according to the nonprofit, which did not specify the type of disease.

The organization is asking its network members to report any unusual sightings of sick-looking urchins through the organization’s website at www.eorhawaii.org. Members are asked not to touch or collect the urchins.

Photos of sick-looking urchins can be emailed to rrcpcoordinator@gmail.com.