The Marine Institute’s socio-economic study on seaweed harvesting primarily focuses on wild seaweed harvesting. The report was prepared to inform the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) which is under the remit of the Department of Climate, Energy, and the Environment. Wild seaweed harvesting is undertaken under consents issued by Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). As such any measures to be considered in relation to the wild harvesting of seaweed are a matter for my colleague Minister Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment.
As regards the aspects of the report relating to seaweed cultivation and seaweed processing, I can assure the Deputy that the government recognises the potential to develop our farmed seaweed industry, particularly in the context of our emerging bioeconomy. I am equally mindful of the key inter-dependency between production and processing, and that it is important that we seek to develop both processing and production in tandem.
The government is fully committed to the implementation of the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development 2030 (NSPSA). The NSPSA sets out the vision for Ireland's aquaculture sector in the coming years, and includes specific actions in relation to seaweed aquaculture. Developing processing capacity in respect of low trophic aquaculture species, including seaweed, is included as an action under the NSPSA.
The development of measures to support the seafood processing sector, including seaweed processors, will also be considered and addressed in the course of the development of the five-year Fisheries Strategy outlined in the Programme for Government.
