Scaling lessons and socioeconomic benefits from Irish seaweed farming

Welcome to the third episode of our 5-part "Turtle Talks" series, developed in collaboration with The Seaweed Company (TSC)!

In this episode, Joost (TSC) and Peter sit down with TSC's Lorraine Gallagher and Máire Ní Einniú from Údarás na Gaeltachta to discuss seaweed farming scaling lessons from Mulroy Bay, socioeconomic benefits for remote coastal areas, and approaching social licensing.

Lorraine Gallagher is the General Manager at The Seaweed Company’s Irish operation. She oversees a range of activities from seaweed farming to processing in the picturesque Mulroy Bay, Donegal. This bay is home to a thriving seaweed farm where edible Alaria esculenta is cultivated. The Seaweed Company supplies seaweed to the food industry. Its new factory, located close to the farm, processes 300 kilograms of seaweed per hour, converting it into dry flakes. With a background in human nutrition, Lorraine manages the Irish division, and was driven to set up the operation thanks to her interest in the potential health benefits of a seaweed-based diet. Recognising the potential of Ireland's coastline, and with a family background in aquaculture, she identified a significant opportunity in seaweed.

Máire Ní Einniú is a Marine Development Executive with Údarás na Gaeltachta. Údarás na Gaeltachta stated purpose is to strengthen the Gaeltacht communities, to increase the quality of life of its community members and facilitate the preservation and extension of the Irish language as the principal language of the region. By profession a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Consultant specialising in Natural Resource Development, Máire leads two of Údarás na Gaeltachta most strategic projects, Páirc na Mara, a state-of-the-art low-carbon marine innovation park in Cill Chiaráin, Co. Galway and Ros a Mhil- a Strategic hub for the offshore renewable energy sector. In her daily role, Máire supports high potential start-ups along with assisting SMEs with their growth plans. This includes extensive community engagement of marine related activities and believes through working collaboratively with industry and state agencies that the Irish marine sector can flourish. 

In this episode, some highlights include:

0:01:17 - Introductions
0:07:34 - Why Alaria?
0:08:27 - What impact can seaweed farming have for this part of Ireland?0:10:40 - How do you engage with the local community?
0:15:34 - Where should wild seaweed tie into this equation?
0:22:05 - How should we engage shellfish farmers and other fisherfolk to start farming seaweed?

Hope you enjoy!