Gathering seaweed for private use.

amandstu

Are there limitations on this activity?

I think you need a permit if it is for business use but can anyone just gather amounts to use in their own garden?

Are there parts of the country where it is entirely forbidden?(in law ,not in practice I suspect)

MacDanger

You can't CUT seaweed (i.e. live seaweed plants) without a permit/licence but you can pick up the stuff that has washed up on the shore as much as you like

MoodeRator

i found this

https://www.seaweed.ie/irish_seaweed_contacts/#:~:text=In%20the%20Republic%20of%20Ireland,small%20amounts%20for%20personal%20use.

In the Republic of Ireland a licence is required from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine for the collection or removal of seaweed for anything other than small amounts for personal use

amandstu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120416874#Comment_120416874

Thanks a lot

That is what I assumed

But I was a little surprised to find this comment on the gardeners world website in the UK and so that is why I wondered whether similar conditions applied over here

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1045600/using-seaweed#latest

"There is no public right to collect seaweed from the beach unless you own the beach and it is not designated a site of special scientific interest or a special area of conservation. If you plan to gather seaweed, it is always advisable to check with the land owner and the local council first."

Obviously there is no reason the exact same regulations should apply in different legal jurisdictions..

iniscealtra

All shore líne is public in Ireland. Nó one can own a beach here.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120418173#Comment_120418173

Up to the high tide mark belongs to the state

Peregrinus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120418173#Comment_120418173

Between the high water mark and the low water mark is public. Anything above the high water mark can be privately owned (but you're unlikely to find any seaweed there, except perhaps after a storm or very heavy seas).

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120418177#Comment_120418177

"The legislation for seaweed harvesting is based on the Foreshore Acts 1933 - 1998. It is stated that the foreshore is State owned. The foreshore comprises the seabed and shore below the line of high water at medium tide and extends outwards to the limit of twelve nautical miles. Under Section 3(1) the Minister for Communications, the Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR) [now the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine] is empowered to grant licences for the removal of seaweeds, whether growing or rooted on the seabed (out to 12 miles), or deposited or washed upon the beach."

https://www.seaweed.ie/irish_seaweed_contacts/#:~:text=In%20the%20Republic%20of%20Ireland,small%20amounts%20for%20personal%20use.

as I said, up to the high water mark is owned by the state.