The long-spined urchin, C. rodgersii (Centro), is extending south as Australian east coast ocean temperatures rise. Centro is endemic in NSW coastal waters but not so for Victoria, Tasmania and Aoteroa NZ. Centro’s increasing abundance in southern waters is characterised by the overgrazing and transformation of biodiverse and highly productive kelp beds into low productivity rocky systems, colloquially called ‘barrens’. This shift is causing concern in southern states where it behaves like a marine pest, however indications are it will persist in southern waters. Centro harvest is an established, profitable fishery in NSW. Similarly, efforts to control populations have given rise to an emerging and potentially lucrative new fishery in the south. Keeping Centro densities below ecological thresholds and protecting biodiversity, social and emerging economic values for Centro is marked by interjurisdictional complexity and differing values, interests and perspectives. Centro is a test case for cross-jurisdictional ecosystem-based management (EBM) for this period of ocean warming and increases in range-shifting marine species. We examine a proposed EBM Centro management approach in the context of the range of problem framings for Centro to consider what this situation can reveal about innovations and marine adaptation management.