Sligo Councillors voice opposition to large scale seaweed harvesting

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Two motions before the March meeting of Sligo County Council which called for the local authority to reject applications for large scale seaweed harvesting to be allowed to take place within the county received the backing of elected members.

Cllr Donal Gilroy’s motion called for the local authority to “Write to the Marine Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to reject any attempt by large international applicants from receiving licences to harvest large swathes of Wrack from the west coast of Ireland.”

The motion continued, “This Council does not agree to handing over rights to a large corporation which would leave communities and local authorities with no input into how their coastline and environment was being treated. Seaweed forests are crucial for protecting communities and homes from coastal erosion providing the bedrock of chains, being a nursery for fish populations, while being a rich part of biodiversity and heritage along the west coast of Ireland.”

Cllr Gino O’Boyle also proposed a motion in relation to the same issue with his motion reading: “That Sligo County Council formally opposes large scale mechanical harvesting of seaweed forests along the west coast due to the potential risks to marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems and local livelihoods, and calls on the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to suspend any such licensing pending a full independent environmental impact assessment and the application of the precautionary principle.”

Speaking on behalf of his motion Cllr Gilroy remarked, “Seaweed is a vital part of rural communities.It needs to be harvested carefully by hand.” Cllr Gilroy called on his colleagues to, “Reject any attempt to harvest large scale.”

Cllr O’Boyle noted his motion refers to “Large scale mechanical extraction,” adding, “Fishing communities are already under pressure.”

The motions received cross-party support with Cllr Fergal Nealon arguing, “I don’t think we should be signing over (rights to seaweed harvesting) to large, international companies.” Cllr Nealon stressed, “It is a rich part of our heritage and folklore.”

Cllr Liam Brennan also offered his support saying, “I totally agree, we shouldn’t be giving away rights for harvesting seaweed. It shouldn’t be happening except for small, local companies.”

Cllr Declan Bree also voiced his support saying, “The reality is we need our coastlines protected by local people who understand it.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.