Urchin barrens created by sea urchin overgrazing deprive fish communities of habitat, reducing the welfare of hundreds of reef-associated species.
Fish that lose complex kelp forest habitat to urchin barrens experience reduced shelter, reduced food availability, and increased predation vulnerability. Species that depend on kelp structure for breeding and juvenile survival disappear from affected areas. The welfare impact on individual fish from habitat degradation is real even if less visible than direct mortality. Restoring kelp forest ecosystems improves welfare for entire communities of fish and invertebrates.