Sea Urchin Fishing Techniques Report (Activity A3.1.1 of the NPA URCHIN project)

Summary

This report gives a brief introduction to the URCHIN project, funded by the Northern Peripheries and Arctic Programme (NPA), followed by a summary of the fishing techniques that are used in sea urchin fisheries around the world. The main sea urchin fisheries around the world are then briefly described, together with the fishing techniques that are used in each fishery. This gives some indication of the frequency of use for the different techniques in various countries around the world. The current status of the fishery and fishing methods utilized in participating NPA countries (Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Ireland) are described. A brief description of the history of roe enhancement in Norway is also included. Finally, the factors that contribute to define the optimal sea urchin fishing techniques for any given country and company are outlined. The efficacy of a fishing technique will depend on a number of these factors and the interactions between them. In the following NPA report a cost/benefit analysis will be conducted for each of the participating NPA countries on what method of fishing is most effective.