Black Long-spined Sea Urchin: Centrostephanus rodgersii (A. Agassiz, 1864) is a large sea urchin species native to eastern Australia and New Zealand. It is commonly known as the Black Long-spined Sea Urchin and is also referred to as the Long-spined Sea Urchin or Rodgers’ Sea Urchin.
It is easily distinguished by its exceptionally long, hollow spines, which are rough to the touch and typically dark purple to nearly black in color, sometimes displaying a greenish iridescence under strong sunlight. The test can reach approximately 10 cm in diameter, while the spines may grow up to 9 cm long.
The species inhabits rocky reefs and exposed coastal environments from the lower intertidal zone to depths of about 50 m. It is particularly abundant along the coasts of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and northern New Zealand, where it is a dominant grazer of kelp and other macroalgae. In some regions, expanding populations have contributed to the formation of “urchin barrens,” areas where extensive grazing has significantly reduced kelp forest coverage.
From a culinary perspective, C. rodgersii is harvested commercially in parts of Australia and New Zealand for its roe (uni). The gonads are generally pale yellow to orange and tend to be firmer and less creamy than those of highly prized sushi species such as Mesocentrotus franciscanus, Strongylocentrotus intermedius, and Heliocidaris erythrogramma. Flavor quality varies considerably depending on season, habitat, and diet, with specimens collected from healthy kelp-rich reefs generally producing superior roe.
Although not traditionally regarded as one of the world’s highest-value sea urchins, this species has gained increasing attention as a sustainable and locally available uni resource. Well-conditioned specimens can yield roe with a clean marine sweetness, moderate umami, and a pleasant mineral character. As a result, the species is increasingly utilized for sushi, sashimi, uni rice bowls, and seafood-focused omakase menus in Australia and New Zealand.
Commercially harvested in Australia and New Zealand, with limited exports to Asian seafood markets. While generally considered a mid-tier uni species, premium roe from carefully managed kelp-forest habitats can achieve significantly higher market value.
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