Seaweed

Did you know? Seaweed is an important source of minerals harvested by hand throughout Irish history as nutritious to eat and as a fertiliser to grow crops. Kelp forests off the West Coast of Ireland are important habitats and breeding grounds and are of critical importance to the marine eco-systems. They also provide an essential buffer zone for preventing coastal erosion. ​

SDG Targets 14.2, 14.5, 14.7 and 14.C: These goals relate to the efforts aimed to protect our coastal areas and the marine life that lives in them. These goals aim to ensure that only sustainable seaweed harvesting or seaweed farming methods are used for seaweed produce. Mechanical harvesting is a practice being employed internationally where vast areas of kelp forest are being captured from the seabed leaving a wasteland where seaweed cannot regrow.​

This image was created in response to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 and formed part of Our Evolving Relationship with Life Below Water interactive exhibition. For more information see: https://libguides.ucc.ie/LifeBelowWater/