Malta has launched two joint initiatives in an effort to replenish the sea urchin’s population in its waters.

Sea urchins are important for this islands’ water as they play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem by ensuring the survival of 18 different fish species. The absence of sea urchins at sea increases the risk of invasive alien species that negatively impact ecosystems.

The sea urchin population in Maltese waters has significantly declined, placing them at risk of extinction.

In the first initiative, the Department of Aquaculture is implementing a restocking programme, where sea urchins will be cultivated and released into the seas to increase their population.

Sea urchins held in captivity in labs will undergo a process to ensure optimal reproductive health. Throughout the project, their growth will be monitored, and detailed studies will be conducted on their nutrition and DNA analysis.

In the second initiative, a Legal Notice comes into effect today, 7^th July, 2023, imposing a two-year moratorium on the collection of sea urchins. This means collecting sea urchins will be illegal, and penalties will apply.

The law does not prohibit the importation of sea urchins but restaurants and fish importers will be required to keep the necessary documentation to verify the origin of the catch in case of inspections.

After two years of said project, there should be a sustainable amount of search urchins back in Maltese waters.