Opening statement on seaweed aquaculture for the Committee on Environment, Culture and the
Gaeltacht by Donal Maguire of BIM
2.12.14
Global production of seaweed stands at just under 24 million tonnes per annum1 China and the
Pacific rim dominates global seaweed production, in terms of absolute output and in terms of
aquaculture production of seaweed. In Asia seaweed is mainly produced using aquaculture, with
little reliance on the harvesting of natural stocks. The situation in the rest of the world is quite
different, where the harvesting of naturally occurring resources dominates commercial exploitation.
Seaweed production in Latin America, Canada and Europe is almost completely dependent on
natural stocks, mainly Ascophyllum nodosum and various kelp species. Aquaculture in these
territories has generally been focused on achieving production of low volume high value species and
on attempts to overcome scientific and technical obstacles to increasing the production of edible
seaweeds like Palmaria palmata and Porphyra.
In Ireland there are 7 licenced seaweed aquaculture sites and 23 licence applications in process. The
main focus of Irish seaweed aquaculture operations have been on the production of edible
seaweeds, however, some production of non-edible seaweeds for cosmetic products has occurred in
the past2. To provide some context, the Irish Seaweed Industry is dominated by the harvesting of
wild resources, mainly Ascophyllum nodosum, annual production of seaweed is approximately
25,000 to 30,000 tonnes per annum. Recent analysis by NUIG suggests that the value of the Industry
is approximately €18million/annum (>€6million Exports) with Employment of 185 FTEs.3 It may be
justified to speculate that based on the number of new entrants4 and reported expansion5 that
annual value and employment has increased since 2010.
On the other hand, Seaweed aquaculture production in Ireland is estimated to be less than 300
tonnes per annum and employs less than 10 FTEs6.
Ireland has been at the forefront of attempts to develop seaweed aquaculture in Europe. Ireland
enjoys considerable advantages in terms of the favourable conditions for seaweed aquaculture and
there is a high level of scientific expertise within the various third level institutions and development
agencies. Ireland also enjoys strong development and research links with other European nations
which are also engaging in seaweed aquaculture, particularly, France, Norway, the Netherlands,
Denmark and the UK. Practical tools including cultivation manuals have been produced for the
industry and BIM and many other agencies and institutions continue to work closely with the
Industry in terms of aquaculture, processing, new product development and innovation. BIM have
worked extremely closely with the Irish seaweed aquaculture sector in terms of providing crucial
supports at establishment and early commercialisation stages.
1
FAO 2014, using 2012 statistics.
Culture of Asparagopsis armata at Ard Bay, Co. Galway.
3
Irelands Ocean Economy, SEMRU, NUIG. 2010
4
Ocean Harvest Technology (New)
5
Brandon Products, BioAtlantis, Oilean Glas Teo. (Expansion)
6
Aquaculture only, not processing or services like hatcheries etc.
2
The development of seaweed aquaculture does face some challenges, some European experts have
supported a model in which seaweed aquaculture, shellfish and finfish aquaculture, wind energy
generation can all be integrated into “Parks” in the coastal zone or offshore7.
The scale, cost and complexity of such “Parks” may present difficulties in terms of cost, and in
possible displacement of, or interaction with, other coastal zone stakeholders. This approach whilst
attractive on the face of it, is unlikely to be suitable for Ireland.
In our view in BIM Irelands’ opportunity is more likely to lie in a mixed industry comprising of three
distinct elements, Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) in collaboration with finfish and
shellfish operators, on-shore tank culture of very high value species and conventional long-line
marine aquaculture in bays for multiple applications.
IMTA is particularly interesting in that it would allow integration with the conventional aquaculture
industry who already have access to appropriate culture sites, the relevant expertise and who have
completed the significant investment in terms labour force, vessels, equipment and infrastructure.
It is believed that a national seaweed aquaculture industry of 2,000 – 3,000 tonnes per annum is
feasible over the next five to seven years, if investment is available for aquaculture development,
processing development and product innovation. This would generate a first sale value of €10
million per annum and would generate employment for some 150 people both directly and
indirectly.
Resolution of Licencing issues, the provision of grant aid to the industry and encouraging private
sector investment will also be required to stimulate growth. The development agencies BIM and
Udaras na Gaeltachta) will continue to engage closely with the industry particularly in the areas of
technical development, processing, market development and public information.
Significant effort will be required to manage the diverse priorities of various stakeholders and
effective communications, consultative fora and information campaigns may be necessary (at least
at local and regional level) to ensure that seaweed aquaculture is fully understood by local
communities and that an opportunity is presented to entrepreneurs to engage with the sector to
ensure that community benefit, ancillary job creation and return on investment are maximised.
BIM
2.12.14
7
Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Germany.