Communities along Ireland’s west coast say they will resist moves they believe threaten generations-old seaweed harvesting rights.
According to RTE News, Canadian-owned Arramara Teoranta has renewed applications to harvest seaweed across multiple bays in Conamara.
Arramara Teoranta was acquired in 2014 by Acadian Seaplants.
Five applications have been submitted to the Marine Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) for marine usage licences.
The areas stretch from Ros a Mhíl to Cloch na Rón and include Cuan Chasla, Cuan Chill Chiaráin, Cuan an Fhir Mhóir, Cuan na Beirtrí Buí and Ceann Mhasa.
Many local families hold traditional harvesting rights passed down through generations.
Maidhc Ó Curraoin, whose family has harvested seaweed for over 100 years, said locals would not surrender those rights.
“People have seaweed harvesting rights along the shoreline in the Conamara Gaeltacht,” he said. “They have traditional harvesting rights, and they don't want to let go of that.”
He described seaweed as “the new gold or the new oil”, citing its value in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and animal feed.
“But I have a right on my own personal place,” he said. “I’m not going to let that go.”
A packed public meeting in Ros Muc heard concerns that licences were being sought in areas where folio rights exist.
Some harvesters expressed uncertainty about whether their rights are properly registered.
Éamonn Mylotte of Carna said: “It’s a property title we have on our land and the foreshore, not a licence with permission to cut seaweed.”
“If all our rights go to Arramara… then we end up with nothing,” he added.
The issue was raised in the Dáil by Mairead Farrell.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he understood local concerns and that the Government was keen to protect regional rights where possible.
MARA said folio holders must obtain a licence, but the system is designed to respect formal and informal rights. A public consultation is ongoing.
Arramara said it applied to secure supply of Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus to ensure continued operation of its processing plant at Cuan Chill Chiaráin.
The company said its activities contribute at least €4 million annually to the local economy and support more than 20 jobs.
“Arramara wants to continue working with the harvest community for mutual benefit,” it said.
Mr Ó Curraoin said he did not want the company to close, noting it had “kept food on the table for 80 years”.
But he added: “All we want is fairness and honesty.”
“You just can’t come in and stomp on people… We have rights too and we’re going to stand up for them.”
According to Government policy, wild seaweed harvesting by hand remains “an integral part of rural marine communities”, particularly along the western seaboard.
Since seaweed developed for commercial use, it has provided income through sales to processors.
The Maritime Area Planning Act provides for an agency to carry out functions under the legislation, including the licensing of traditional seaweed harvesting.
Responsibility for seaweed aquaculture, or harvesting within the five Fishery Harbour Centres, rests with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Marine Institute is overseeing a research project titled A Socioeconomic Study of Seaweed Harvesting in Ireland to Support Marine Spatial Planning.
Its findings are expected to inform future seaweed-specific marine planning policies.
The National Marine Planning Framework states it aims to support sustainable harvesting, recognising the sector’s economic and social contribution to coastal communities.
It also highlights the need for a regulatory framework that safeguards key seaweed species, protects ecosystems, and respects existing formal and informal harvesting rights.
Ongoing research is supported to strengthen data and guide sustainable management.
No web map is currently associated with the sector.
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