Seaweed Harvesting in Ireland
History
The harvesting of seaweed has been a traditional practice in Ireland for around 300 years (1), and occurs predominantly along the west coast. This history is well documented since the 1940's in addition to earlier anecdotal information. In Ireland this industry is worth around 1 million euros, with Ascophylum nodosum (our study species) being commercially most important (2).
The species: Ascophyllum nodosum
Ascophyllum nodosum (also known in localities as feamainn bhuí, rockweed, Norwegian kelp, knotted kelp, knotted wrack or egg wrack) is a large, brown, cold water seaweed, of the family Fucaceae and the only species of the genus Ascophyllum. It forms a single bladders centrally in long, strap-like fronds. The fronds hang downwards, gently draping sheltered intertidal rocks. It is only found in the North Atlantic, however its trade value goes beyond measurement as it contains a magnitude of nutrients like large sugars (carbohydrates), fats, and the mineral iodine.
Drawing of A. nodosum
A. nodosum on a rocky shore
Some uses of Ascophylum nodosum
Food Resource
Fertilizer
Cosmetics
Animal Feed
- Pereira, L., Morrison, L., Shukla, P.S. and Critchley, A.T., 2020. A concise review of the brown macroalga Ascophyllum nodosum (Linnaeus) Le Jolis. Journal of Applied Phycology, pp.1-24.
- Mac Monagail, M. and Morrison, L., 2020. The seaweed resources of Ireland: a twenty-first century perspective. Journal of Applied Phycology, pp.1-14.