Sure, I’ll break it down step by step. First, sea urchins eat the algae that would normally overgrow coral surfaces, so in moderate numbers they actually help coral survive by keeping those algae in check. That’s the positive side. Second, if there are too many urchins, they can start nibbling on coral polyps themselves or on newly settled coral larvae, which slows or stops coral recruitment. Third, their grazing creates more bare substrate, which can be good or bad depending on the coral species—fast‑growing corals can quickly occupy the space, but slow growers might be left out. In short, a balanced urchin population can support coral growth, but an excess can hinder it. It’s all about maintaining that equilibrium.

I think the best approach is to start with a baseline survey—count urchins per square meter and assess coral cover in each zone. Then, in the zones where urchins are over‑abundant, we can introduce a controlled, low‑impact aquaculture system that farms the urchins themselves. By harvesting them at a sustainable rate, we keep their numbers from spiking but still provide them with the nutrients they need. In the opposite direction, if a patch is under‑grazed, we could release a small number of urchins bred in a nursery, but only after we’re sure the local algae load can handle it. The key is to keep the data flow continuous so we can adjust the harvest or release rates in real time. That way we’re not guessing—just adapting based on actual numbers.