Red sea urchin ranges along the West Coast of North America, from the tip of Mexican Baja California to southern Alaska. From Alaska, they extend along the Asiatic coast till southern Hokkaido Island in Japan (Susumi and Schroeter 1985). No differentiated biologial stocks are defined for the species.

In the United States, red sea urchins are targeted by commercial diver fisheries, that are assessed and managed separately in each Pacific coastal state (Seafood Watch 2022):

• Red sea urchin - California (current profile), assessment and management unit of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
• Red sea urchin - Oregon, assessment and management unit of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)
• Red sea urchin - Washington, assessment and management unit of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
• Southeastern Alaska assessment and management unit of the Alska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG)

The species is also captured in Canada and in Baja California, Mexico