Opening Statement on Seaweed Aquaculture for the Committee on Environment, Culture And

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 annum 1 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 1 FAO 2014, using 2012 statistics.

2 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. 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.

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.

2.12.14

7 Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Germany.