Outer Hebrides

SAMS’s scientist Dr Michael Burrows, the report’s main author, told The Herald: “I am an ecologist and wanted to make a robust estimate of the inter-tidal seaweed out there. We didn’t focus on the economic possibilities. We wanted to come up with good estimate of what a sustainable harvest might be. “The main findings were that although the total amount of the plants came to 170,000 tonnes, once you take into account accessibility issues and the need to allow the weed to regenerate, it comes down to 15,000 tonnes to 20,000 tonnes for a sustainable annual harvest. That is two to three times the present harvest, but the idea that there is a vast resource that would allow an sizeable industry to be established, is not supported by this research. But there is potential for expansion.” He said that the species that was being surveyed, Ascophyllum nodosum, was the main exploitable tidal species. “Below low water people have extracted kelp and there is a lot more kelp. However, there is potential for a serious impact on the coastal biodiversity if kelp was extracted on commercial scale,” he said. He added that apart from the protection the kelp afforded the coastline, areas of kelp could be nursery areas for young fish such as cod.

He said the SAMS report made clear that it would not be possible to have a huge jump in harvesting rates without paying an environmental price.