Sea urchin fishing permit

There are two types of authorization to fish for sea urchins, a catch quota permit and special fishing permit in designated areas.

Sea urchin fishing with a catch quota

Conditions

• The vessel must have a commercial fishing permit.

• The vessel must have a catch quota for sea urchins.

Fishing area

• Fishing may be conducted in three areas in Breiðafjörður as specified in the regulation.

• It is not permitted to fish in more than one fishing area per fishing trip.

Sea urchin fishing permit

Conditions

• The vessel must have a commercial fishing permit.

Fishing area

• Ísafjarðardjúp

• Húnaflói, areas specified in regulations

• The Eastfjords, areas specified in regulations

A total allowable catch is specified for each area, and fishing is stopped once it has been reached.

Applications are made through the application system of the Directorate of Fisheries.
The licence costs 22.000 ISK

General information about fishing

Fishing gear

• The maximum width of the dredge is 2.5 m and the maximum weight is 700 kg.

• Only one dredge may be used for fishing at any one time.

• The mesh size must be a minimum of 80 mm (internal measurement).

Weighing

• Sea urchins under 45 mm in diameter may not be landed.

• If sea urchins smaller than 45 mm in diameter are caught, they must be released back into the sea.

• The captain must declare the fishing area of the catch when it is weighed at port scale.