🎶 Soundtrack of the Seaweed Revival: “White Strand” by Ímar As you read this piece, let White Strand by Ímar carry you along the Atlantic edge. This instrumental reel, composed by Tomás Callister, Mohsen Amini, and Ryan Murphy, is a vibrant, pulsing tribute to the raw energy of the coast. Its shifting time signatures—moving between 7/8, 3/4, and 4/4—echo the rhythm of waves, the sway of seaweed, and the unpredictable beauty of the sea itself.

Ímar, a Glasgow-based quintet with roots in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, are known for their “pure-drop” traditional sound—fast, intricate, and emotionally charged. Their music draws from the same cultural waters as the seaweed revival: ancient, rooted, and yet surging forward with modern purpose. Like the seaweed industry, their work is a fusion of heritage and innovation.

The title White Strand evokes a windswept shoreline—perhaps Donegal’s own—where land meets sea in a dance of resilience and renewal. It’s a fitting companion to this story of coastal regeneration, community innovation, and green gold rising from the tide.

So press play, and let the music pull you into the rhythm of the waves, the pulse of tradition, and the promise of what’s growing just beneath the surface.

🎶 🌊🤝🐠🪸🚤🧜🐚🌿🏞️🌀✨ 🔊 White Strand by Ímar

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For centuries, Ireland’s coastal communities have harvested seaweed, using it for food, farming, and medicine.

Today, as the world seeks sustainable solutions, seaweed is making a dramatic comeback—offering economic opportunities, environmental benefits, and a chance for Ireland to become a global leader in regenerative ocean farming.

A Rising Industry 🌿💰

The global seaweed industry is expected to reach €22 billion by 2028, with Asia leading the charge. But Ireland, with its 7,500 km of pristine coastline and centuries-old harvesting traditions, is ideally positioned to capture a significant share. Irish seaweed is no longer just a local delicacy—it’s becoming a cornerstone of the green economy.

Key companies making waves:

Wild Irish Seaweeds (Co. Clare): Organic seaweed for food, wellness, and cosmetics

AlgAran (Donegal): Certified organic seaweed in skincare and nutrition

Sea & Believe (Galway): Pioneering seaweed-based meat alternatives

Connemara Seaweed Company (Galway): Culinary-grade seaweed and condiments

The Irish Seaweed Company (Antrim): Edible seaweed and home spa blends

The Seaweed Company / Green Turtle (Donegal): Ireland’s first large-scale cultivation and processing hub

From Shore to Shelf: Seaweed on the Plate 🥗🌊

Seaweed is quickly transforming from humble sea vegetable to gourmet staple. From dulse crisps and wakame noodles to kelp ketchup, seaweed pesto, seasoning flakes, and even Carrageen moss desserts, the culinary wave is rolling in strong.

Irish brands like AlgAran and Sea of Vitality are crafting everything from snack bars and teas to vegan umami powders and fermented relishes.

Seaweed is also emerging as a natural salt substitute, a source of plant-based iodine, calcium, and iron, and a functional food in both health-focused diets and haute cuisine. With its mild ocean flavor and versatile texture, seaweed isn't just sustainable—it’s crave-worthy.

Why Seaweed is a Game-Changer 🌎💚

As a crop, seaweed requires no land, no fertilizers, and no freshwater—and it absorbs CO₂ up to 50 times faster than trees. It also restores biodiversity, supports reef systems, and provides natural fertilizer through biostimulants. These traits make it a uniquely powerful ally in the fight against climate change.

Real-world benefits include:

• 🔁 Carbon sequestration and ocean regeneration
• 🧬 Use in nutraceuticals, gut health, and vegan supplements
• 💧 Freshwater conservation and food security
• 🧴 Rise of seaweed in zero-waste packaging and cosmetics

Making Waves in Donegal: Lorraine Gallagher & The Seaweed Company 💼🌊

Among Ireland’s seaweed trailblazers stands Lorraine Gallagher, a biochemist, sustainability expert, and founder of The Seaweed Company (Green Turtle) in Mulroy Bay, Co. Donegal. After applying for an aquaculture license in 2013 and securing it in 2018, Lorraine returned from London to establish the country’s first large-scale seaweed processing facility.

“We have Class A waters in Mulroy Bay and an incredible coastline,” she says. “It just made sense to build something meaningful here.”

Her flagship product blends 25% organic seaweed into beef burgers, significantly reducing saturated fats and environmental impact while boosting nutrition and shelf life. Supported by Enterprise Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta, and BIM, Lorraine's operation is expanding from 25 to 350 hectares and creating a local jobs ecosystem rooted in purpose.

“We’ve been so lucky with our staff—they love Donegal, and they love what we’re building here.”

Global Currents: Ireland in the Seaweed World 🌍🤝

While Ireland is emerging as a seaweed innovator, it joins a global tide of countries investing in marine biomass. Asia dominates, producing over 98% of the world’s farmed seaweed, with China, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan leading in food-grade cultivation and hydrocolloid processing.

Northern Europe is catching up fast—Norway, France, and the Netherlands are building large-scale offshore farms and bio-based industries. The North Sea Farmers project forecasts 10 million tons annually by 2050, creating 85,000+ jobs across the EU. In Africa, Zanzibar and Tanzania foster women-led seaweed cooperatives, while Chile, India, and Australia push innovation in aquaculture, feed, and pharma.

For Ireland, this global ecosystem offers powerful partnerships in R&D, climate tech, and export logistics—turning Atlantic potential into international impact.

Breaking Barriers & Boosting Innovation 🚀🔧

While interest and investment grow, the sector still grapples with fragmented policies, inconsistent licensing, and gaps in R&D infrastructure. That’s where the Irish Seaweed Association, founded in 2025, comes in—uniting producers, scientists, and policymakers to strengthen regulation and unlock innovation.

Recent advancements:

• 📘 BIM’s 2030 Strategy: Outlining 74 key actions, including hatchery expansion and biorefinery development
• 🔬 Collaborative research with Trinity College Dublin, C-FAARER, and Nofima
• 🧪 Packaging innovation from Redrose Developments and Sea Going Green
• 💶 EU climate funding channeled through DAFM and regional partnerships

A Bright Future for Irish Seaweed 🔥🌍

With its unique mix of ecological value and economic scalability, seaweed could reshape Ireland’s future. From biofuels and bioplastics to climate-resilient farming and next-gen nutrition, seaweed is not just green—it’s gold.

Emerging markets and opportunities:

• ♻️ Seaweed-based compostable plastics (e.g. Notpla, sourcing from Irish waters)
• 🧬 Functional foods and fermentation-based seafood alternatives
• 📦 Export growth to Europe, North America, and Asia
• 🧵 Applications in textiles, wound care, and bio-leather

🌿 Is the world ready to embrace seaweed’s full potential? The tide has turned—and Ireland’s green gold is rising fast. 💚🌊

#GreenGold 💚🌊 #SeaweedFuture 🔮🌿 #RegenerativeCoastline 🏞️🧬 #FromShoreToShelf 🥗🌍 #CommunityPowered 🤝🇮🇪