In December 2009 the Leaders of the World will come together to discuss Climate Change and possible courses of action to reverse the damaging effects of global industrialization.    This web site is intended to support the emergence of a Sustainable Low Carbon Seaweed Industry in the South West.
 

Kynance Cove (Steve Miller 2008)

Why Seaweed?

There is evidence to show that hundreds of years ago seaweed was part of the staple diet of humans living here, and even in the early 1900's Laverbread (Porphyria Umbilicus) was still harvested and sold on the streets of Padstow.   

Farmers had the right to collect seaweed from the beaches to fertilize their lands and in some places as fodder for cattle and sheep.   Kelp was used as a source of soda and potash for making glass, glazes and soap.  Dried seaweed was burnt as a source of fuel, and in Ireland the children chewed dried Dulse (Dillisk) from an early age.   This available resource was used and valued as part of the food chain.   

Many of our  Celtic neighbours  have already flourishing seaweed industries providing local employment  and local produce.  

The seaweed industry in Ireland contributes about €12 million to their economy, from a production of around 35,000 tons, employing in the region of 700 people.  The French have a higher share of the market and are rated second only to China in terms of global production however this rating includes a high percentage of Maerl, a calcified seaweed which may no longer be sustainably harvested.

Professor Michael Guiry on his website, www.seaweed.ie gives the total wholesale sales of Agars, Alginates and Carrageenans globally as US$ 950 million, and the total worth of the seaweed industry as over US$6 billion.  The annual production of Laver, Sloke, Nori (Porphyra spp). is valued
at 100 billion yen (US$ 1 billion).

The Biology of Algae

The biology of algae is a duty or a task, 
That consumes the better portion of your time 
In the sampling of waters from an ocean, or a flask, 
Or a snowfield, or a gutter full of slime. 
You get cold, and wet, and grubby; you get dusty, hot, and dry; 
You get dismal, and dejected, and defied; 
But you'll find that, if you are lucky - if you're good - and if you try, 
You can do a little science on the side.

- Ralph Arnold Lewin (1921-2008)

http://www.brphycsoc.org/   British Phycological Society
Download this pdf here  (FAO - A guide to the seaweed industry   2003)
 

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