Íslandsþari operates under a research and production license issued by the Ministry of Industry and Innovation on 23 September 2021 and valid until 31 December 2027. The license is granted pursuant to Act No. 79/1997 and after receiving the opinion of the Marine Research Institute. The license covers the area off North Iceland from Vatnsnes in Húnaflói to Þistilfjörður.

The Directorate of Fisheries supervises the research and is authorized to have an inspector on board vessels that research and harvest at the expense of Iceland Kelp. When researching and harvesting kelp according to the permit, attention must be paid to important fishing grounds, such as spawning areas for sea urchins, and Iceland Kelp shall consult with the Marine Research Institute in this regard.

The research plan is prepared in close consultation with the Marine Research Institute, which shall receive detailed information on the results. The results shall also be published publicly. According to the license, Iceland Thar shall pay the Marine Research Institute a fee for this collaboration in connection with the research plan.