In a statement, the municipality of Esposende, which is part of the commission, states that the objective is to establish annual catch limits and the number of licenses in the North Coast Natural Park.

That commission sent a letter to the General Directorate of Natural Resources, Security and Maritime Services (DGRM), suggesting the carrying out of a study of the population trend of the species, with a particular focus on P. lividus, "as there is greater demand, there is less depth and is listed as a protected species of fauna under the Berne Convention".

The municipality explains that, with the increase in demand for gourmet products due to the global shortage of sturgeon roe, sea urchins "are emerging as a new source of caviar, reaching high prices in the markets, especially in Asian countries and in Spain and France".

They add that one of the species of sea urchin present in greatest abundance on the north coast - Paracentrotus lividus - is "commercially sought after and well accepted in these markets", with the bulk of the catch in that region being sold to Spanish groups who, after having over- explored the species in their country, now use the stocks in that Marine Park to meet the demand.