Scottish Greens raise concerns about ‘destructive’ kelp dredging proposals

Kelp - Image credit: Ian Boyd via Flickr

The Scottish Greens have raised concerns about proposals to allow “destructive” dredging of kelp off the west coast of Scotland.

Ayr-based Marine Biopolymers wants to dredge for seaweed on the west coast using Norwegian ‘harvesting vessels' before taking it to a processing plant in Mallaig.

Ahead of a Marine Scotland consultation closing tomorrow, Green MSP John Finnie has outlined his opposition to the proposal.

Finnie, the Scottish Greens’ MSP for the Highlands and Islands, says kelp beds, which are home to many marine species and play a role in fighting climate change by protecting the shoreline from erosion, would be damaged by dredging.

Traditionally kelp is cut by hand, allowing it to regrow, rather than pulled up by the roots.

This is the first time a proposal has been put forward for kelp dredging in Scotland, although it has been carried out in Norway and Ireland.

Finnie said: “Dredging can be a highly destructive method of harvesting so Greens are totally opposed to any proposals for mechanical kelp dredging for kelp off the west coast of Scotland.

“Dredging would destroy kelp beds which provide an important habitat for many species, some of which are also harvested.

“Crucially, kelp reduces the energy from waves before they hit the shore, protecting the shoreline from erosion and this is important at a time when our focus must be on tackling climate change.

“The government has already committed itself to ‘develop a strategic approach on environmental policy to protect and enhance our environment’ and to ‘safeguard natural capital’.

“To allow for this type of mechanical dredging would be a betrayal of that promise.

“We remain fully supportive of existing, sustainable seaweed harvesting arrangements and welcome the important role it can play in our coastal communities.”

Ailsa McLellan, who harvests oysters just outside Ullapool, has been campaigning against the move, which she described as “ecocide”, adding that the “collateral damage to other life forms is immense”.

She has lodged a petition with the Scottish Parliament against licensing kelp dredging.

A Marine Biopolymers spokesman told STV News: "This scoping report is only the first stage of an extensive consultation process, which will be done in conjunction with a number of Scottish statutory bodies.

"It will also involve many stakeholder organisations and groups from communities across Scotland.

"This report is the result of several years of in-depth research into the critical environmental factors we need to consider before we started this consultation process.

"It shows our initial thoughts on what and where we plan to harvest."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Marine Scotland will consult fully on any forthcoming application and environmental assessments.

"Scottish ministers will then make a determination on a licence application, taking into account the effects on the environment and other uses of the sea."