Dr. Simon Faulkner:

I thank the committee for inviting Ocean Harvest Technology to discuss the licensing and harvesting of seaweed. Although as a company we are not completely reliant on locally harvested seaweed, Ocean Harvest Technology currently provides seaweed-based feed ingredients for a number of applications. Some of the seaweeds used are obtained from local harvesters who are in turn monitored by our sustainable management plan. The plan takes into account harvesting estimates, pollution, specific techniques and our sustainable annual yield.

Ocean Harvest Technology applied for a foreshore licence in 2011 to harvest small quantities of various seaweed species in a sustainable manner, excluding the commonly harvested brown seaweed, Ascophyllum nodosum. Unfortunately, at this stage and after three years we have still not obtained the licence.

Moving forward, we feel that Irish seaweed is a great resource and should be used for the benefit of Irish people. Therefore, any licensing protocols must provide a maximum benefit for the Irish economy. However, they must also facilitate the wishes of local harvesters who have been harvesting seaweed for more than two decades. This will most likely require collaboration between industry and universities but also adequate regulation and enforcement. I thank the committee for inviting Ocean Harvest Technology before it today. That concludes my opening remarks.