The Mysterious Die-Off of the Caribbean’s Black Sea Urchins

On this episode, marine biology graduate, Aprille, guest host, where she spoke with Dr. Kimani Kitson-Walters. Dr. Kitson -Walters is the marine studies project leader and data monitoring officer at the Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute. Marine scientist across the region, beginning in February, started to raise the alarm of the sudden death of the region’s black long spined sea urchins (diadema setosum). Scientists have stated that the sea urchins are dying across the Caribbean at a pace that rivals a mass die-off that last occurred in 1983. On this episode, Dr. Kitson-Walters, spoke about the mysterious die off of these marine creatures and how their death will affect the marine biodiversity of the region. He also explained how a special network of marine biologist are tracking and trying to understand the cause of this recent die-off as well as how the general public can help them with their work.