Mayo TD organises Clew Bay seaweed forum

A public meeting has been organised in Newport to discuss a proposed seaweed harvesting licence for Clew Bay.

Paul Lawless has confirmed that the meeting will take place on Monday, March 9, at 8 p.m. in Brannen’s Pub, Newport, amid growing concern locally about an application relating to the bay.

The meeting comes in the wake of an application submitted to the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) seeking permission for commercial seaweed harvesting in Clew Bay. BioAtlantis Ltd has applied for a licence covering the area, while Arramara Teoranta has submitted five separate applications relating to the Galway coastline.

Deputy Lawless said there is “considerable confusion” surrounding seaweed harvesting licences at present, noting that a petition has circulated in recent weeks gathering thousands of signatures.

“The public deserves clarity and transparency,” he stated. “This meeting will provide an open forum to share information and to hear directly the concerns of our coastal communities.”

Expressing concern about the Clew Bay proposal, Deputy Lawless said the application maps include almost every island in the bay.

“Clew Bay and its islands, as seen from the peak of Croagh Patrick, are a major tourist attraction,” he said. “The area contains numerous designated conservation zones which must not be disturbed.

There are important fish habitats, and there are also areas where local people have long-standing traditional harvesting rights.”

He added that local families in Mayo, as well as in Donegal and Galway, have been harvesting seaweed for generations.

“Some of these traditional rights may not be formally recognised on title documents. Naturally, many families are concerned about how large-scale commercial harvesting may affect these inherited practices and their ability to continue them into the future,” he said.

Deputy Lawless said Monday’s meeting will give members of the public an opportunity to voice their concerns and consider how best to respond.

“Seaweed is a vitally important natural asset that protects our coast from erosion and flooding. It is essential that local communities are properly consulted,” he concluded.