Tiago Verdelhos, a researcher at the Center for Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of Coimbra (UC) noted that "in some markets, there is more and more demand, and more and more interest" to buy sea urchins, “contrary to what happens in our country”.

“In Portugal, very little is consumed. There are some localised areas where it is a well-known product, a traditional product and is in great demand, but that's it”, said Tiago Verdelhos, alluding to the areas of Viana do Castelo, Peniche and Ericeira, the latter which has a gastronomic festival dedicated to the sea urchin.