1. 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.

2. 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?

3. 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