What if one of the biggest threats to kelp forests could help bring them back to life?
That question has helped a University of Tasmania team win the Outstanding Science Prize at the 2025 Biodesign Sprint: Ocean Futures , a global competition that brings together science, design and creativity to tackle environmental challenges.
The project was developed by University of Tasmania design students Mr David Dal Busco and Ms Shannon Terry, with academic leadership from Dr Vanessa Ward in the School of Architecture and Design , and in collaboration with Dr Masayuki Tatsumi from Sea Forest.
ReURCHIN turns discarded sea urchin shells into biodegradable reef structures that help kelp regrow on damaged seabeds, turning a marine menace into a potential tool for ecological repair.
Kelp forests are among the ocean's most productive ecosystems. They provide habitat for countless marine species, absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help protect coastlines from erosion. But in Tasmania and around the world, many kelp forests have declined sharply as warming seas and booming sea urchin populations create barren reefs devoid of kelp.
Dr Ward said ReURCHIN began with a simple idea: work with the problem rather than against it.
"Sea urchins are usually framed as a major threat to kelp forests," she said.
"We asked whether the shells they leave behind could actually be part of the solution to help these forests recover and reduce reliance on plastic-based materials."
The team uses calcium rich sea urchin shells to 3D print units seeded with young kelp plants. These are placed on damaged reef areas, where they provide a stable platform for kelp to take hold. As the kelp matures, the structures degrade naturally, leaving no harmful residue.
Mr Dal Busco said the design challenge was to make something that worked with nature rather than replacing it.
"We wanted a structure that could support kelp growth and then disappear," he said. "It's about designing with the ecosystem rather than imposing on it."
Ms Terry said seeing the concept come to life was one of the project's most exciting moments.
"When we saw the structures seeded with kelp and ready for deployment, it really brought the idea to life," she said. "It's a great example of design and science working together for environmental good."
The Biodesign Sprint ran from October to December and brought together teams from universities around the world. Entries were judged on scientific strength, feasibility and potential for real world impact.
The University of Tasmania team now plans to work with conservation partners to trial ReURCHIN along Tasmania's coastline, bridging the gap between design and field application.
Biodesign Sprint is part of a global education initiative that encourages students and researchers to apply biological thinking and creativity to environmental problems, with this year's Ocean Futures theme focused on marine ecosystem protection in a changing climate.
