Ascophyllum nodosum grows in abundance along the west coast of Ireland. The seaweed is harvested at low tide, when the shore is most exposed. Ascophyllum attaches itself to rocks on the seashore, and is hand harvested using a sharp knife or sickle.
Care is taken not to cut the entire plant, allowing 8 inches (approx.) to remain attached to the rock. Harvesting is carried out in strict rotation to allow the Ascophyllum plant to re-generate. The harvester then collects the seaweed into bails or cleimins, and attaches ropes around each bail.
A load of seaweed may contain 5 to 6 bails of seaweed, with each bail consisting of 2-3 tons. Each bail is towed into a collection point (slipway or pier) where it is inspected by a resource team before a delivery docket is issued to the harvester by the Resource Manager. The seaweed is collected within 1-2 days, and delivered to the factory for weighing and further inspection. |
