@mark.de.jose3: The largest sea urchin species in British Columbia is the red sea urchin, not the purple sea urchin. While purple sea urchins can grow to be around 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter, red sea urchins can reach a diameter of 7 inches (18 cm) or more. Red sea urchins are also the most commercially harvested species for their roe, or "uni".