Success! Malta’s sea urchins get two more years of protection after population increase following 2023 ban
The extended moratorium on sea urchin collection will last until 7th July 2027.
Malta’s coastal ecosystems just got a little healthier thanks to a conservation success story in the world of marine protection. The government has announced the extension of the moratorium on sea urchin collection until 7th July 2027, following a promising rise in the local sea urchin population.
The original ban, introduced in July 2023, aimed to protect the Stony Sea Urchin (Paracentrotus lividus), a native species that plays a critical role in maintaining balance in the marine environment. Now, two years in, scientific monitoring conducted across 10 sites shows population increases in around 60% of locations.
While some areas still need time to recover, the most notable population boost was recorded in specimens measuring between 2 and 4 centimetres—a significant indicator, since sea urchins grow slowly, at just 1–2cm per year. This growth demonstrates that the moratorium is giving these creatures the breathing space they need to thrive again.
During the moratorium, researchers at Aquatic Resources Malta (ARM) have been collecting and studying purple sea urchins as part of a long-term conservation and restocking initiative. In collaboration with Stella Mare from the University of Corsica, they’re pioneering techniques for breeding, hatching, and growing sea urchins in controlled environments before releasing them back into the wild. This innovative approach adds an extra layer of protection for the species and strengthens the regeneration effort.
The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is maintaining strict enforcement during the moratorium. Any collection, sale, or distribution of wild sea urchins remains illegal, and violators face fines between €500 and €5,000, with even steeper penalties for repeat offences.
In the last two years alone, three individuals were fined a total of €1,900 after being caught harvesting sea urchins illegally in Żonqor, Marsaskala. Recovered specimens are immediately returned to the sea to maximise their chance of survival.
ERA, along with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Environmental Health Directorate, will continue to oversee compliance throughout the extended ban. Inspections of restaurants and fish importers are also in place to ensure that no illegally harvested sea urchins make it onto our plates.
The Stony Sea Urchin Protection Regulations (Legal Notice 149 of 2023) underpin this moratorium and were introduced after a 2020 study revealed alarmingly low sea urchin numbers in Maltese waters. The legal framework draws on four major acts, including the Fisheries Conservation and Management Act and the Environment Protection Act, reflecting the shared responsibility of various national authorities.
It’s worth noting that while the collection of local sea urchins is banned, importation remains legal – provided documentation proves they were not taken from Maltese waters.
If you come across any illegal harvesting activity, ERA urges the public to report it by calling 2292 3500.
Have you ever seen one while exploring underwater?