URCHIN Utilisation of the Arctic Sea Urchin Resource Priority Axis 1.1: Increased innovation and transfer of new technology to SME’s in remotely or sparely populated areas Project partners: Nofima (Norway) Matis (Iceland) University of Highlands and Islands NAFC / SAMS (Scotland) Commercial partners: Royal Greenland (Greenland) Thirosholmi ehf (Iceland) Arctic Caviar (Norway) Associated Partner: Holar University College (Iceland) Future Partners? Project Vision: To establish a sustainable, reliable and lucrative sea urchin fishery in the Northern Periphery and Arctic Area.

Green Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) World sea urchin fisheries declining for most species (overfishing) World demand for urchin products is increasing Increasing value Arctic area has huge untapped natural stocks of sea urchins Norwegian example: - 80 billion individual urchins - estimates between 50,000t and 150,000t harvestable quality urchins - excluding low quality - Greater NPA area?

Value of project to NPA area S. droebachiensis is a very high value species Wide distribution and biomass in NPA area NPA area could become the largest supplier of sea urchins in the world Remote areas and harsh environmental conditions present a number of challenges Work Packages: WP1: Fishing methods in Arctic area WP2: Sustainable fisheries management WP3: Roe enhancement of poor quality urchins WP4: Holding and transport WP5: Marketing and distribution networks WP6: Legislation issues WP7: Coordination of R & D and SME’s Priority Axis 1.1: Increased innovation and transfer of new technology to SME’s in remotely or sparely populated areas