Galway County Council shows support for traditional harvesters
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FEARS that generations-old seaweed harvesting rights could be undermined have prompted Galway County Council to intervene in a growing dispute over commercial harvesting along the Connemara coast.
Councillors agreed this week to write to the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), urging it to recognise the traditional rights of local families before deciding on a series of licence applications for seaweed harvesting.
Many coastal households have harvested seaweed for generations, with some rights formally registered and others based on long-established customary use.
Proposing the motion, Cllr Máirtín Lee (FF) said the issue was causing widespread concern in coastal communities.
“This is bothering a lot of people. It doesn’t matter who the company is – it’s the principle that is important. People have their traditional rights,” he said.
He noted that some rights were legally recorded while others were similar to turbary rights built up over time.
“People have been harvesting for 100 years. The proof of the pudding is that the seaweed grows back,” he said.
The debate comes amid renewed controversy over applications by seaweed processing company Arramara Teoranta to harvest seaweed in several bays along the Connemara coastline, including Cashla Bay, Kilkieran Bay, Mace Head and Bertraghboy Bay.
While earlier large-scale proposals were withdrawn, five revised applications are under consideration “to undertake the harvesting of seaweed from the intertidal foreshore in sustainable quantities”.
Cllr Noel Thomas (Ind Ire) told the meeting that formal objections have been lodged.
“Before the weekend, we have put in submissions against all applications,” he said, adding that there was “a direct conflict” between licence applications and harvesting rights claimed by local families.
Traditional harvesters carefully managed the resource, he said, warning that “they know the crop won’t come back” if it is overcut.
He described a recent meeting with MARA’s chief executive and policy director as constructive, with their commitment to appointing a liaison officer as “good news to see”.
Councillors from across the chamber voiced strong support for the motion.
Among them, Cllr Dermot Connolly (SF) said the issue “goes to the heart of things in rural Ireland” and warned local livelihoods must be protected.
Cllr Tomás Ó Curraoín (Rep SF) described the situation as “a disgrace” and said industrial harvesting would happen “over my dead body,” warning that “they will take the stones out of the shore” – prompting a round of applause.
Pointing to the strength of local feeling, Cllr Laurie Harney (FG) said a recent Rosmuc meeting attended by about 300 people was “the same as 30,000 in Galway turning up”, adding his acknowledgement that seaweed harvesting had long “kept food on the table”.
Concerns were also raised by Cllr Thomas Welby (Ind), who warned that “mechanical cutters” could be introduced, while Cllr Eileen Mannion (FG) accused Cllr Noel Thomas (Ind Ire) of a “by-election broadcast,” while at the same time acknowledging that “this is another blow to seaweed harvesters who need clarity”.
Highlighting the wider impact, Cllr Cillian Keane (FF) said seaweed harvesting was also part of life in Oranmore, while Cllr Martina Kinane (FF) said she had witnessed harvesting in Stradbally North near Kilcolgan for more than 25 years.
“This is why we need to stand with Connemara,” she concluded.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.