Sea Urchin Die-Off Threatens Coral Reefs in Israeli Gulf

Sea urchins are dying off at an alarming rate in Israel's Gulf of Eilat due to an unknown pathogen, which threatens the Red Sea's prized coral reef ecosystems. The black sea urchin is critical to maintaining a healthy reef habitat, and without them, algae grow unchecked, choking off corals and compromising the delicate balance of the reef ecosystem. Researchers suspect a similar pathogen might also be responsible for killing sea urchins in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and have called for urgent action to protect already endangered reef ecosystems.