Licensing of  Harvesting

Licensing of Seaweed Harvesting in Ireland

The Maritime Area Regulatory Agency (MARA) is a statutory body and regulator under the aegis of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. It was established by Part 3 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (MAP Act). 

As part of its work, MARA is responsible for licensing and subsequent enforcement of a list of activities in the MAP Act which require a Maritime Usage Licence (MUL). Activity 10 on this list relates to seaweed harvesting and is worded as follows: 

"10. The harvesting, disturbance or removal of seaweed, whether growing or rooted on the seabed, or deposited in or washed up thereon by the action of any one or more than one of the following: (a) tides; (b) winds; (c) waves". 

The activities are set out in Schedule 7 of the MAP Act. The requirement for a licence for a Schedule 7 Activity is set out in section 113 of the MAP Act.) Therefore, a MUL is required to harvest seaweed, and it is MARA's responsibility under the MAP Act to ensure that these licences are granted, as appropriate. 

For personal use. If you gather a small amount of seaweed, MARA says "This will depend on the purpose for which the seaweed is being gathered. On the basis of a Circular MP01/2025 issued by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment in 2025, MARA considers that the harvesting of small volumes of seaweed for personal use and on a non-commercial basis may not require a licence. For example, gathering small amounts of seaweed for use in a domestic garden, or for use in home-cooking would not require a licence. Any other use, particularly for commercial purposes, is likely to require a licence from MARA. Examples include, but are not limited to, gathering seaweed for onward sale to a processor, collecting seaweed to use in products such as candles or cosmetics, or gathering seaweed for sale as a food or ingredient." 

For existing Harvesters: The MAP Act includes provisions, referred to as 'transitional provisions', which allow those already engaged in seaweed harvesting, or with existing harvesting rights, to come under the new licensing regime under the MAP Act. (Details of the transitional arrangements are set out in section 129 and section 130 of the MAP Act). These transitional provisions apply where: The relevant person was active in harvesting seaweed prior to August 2021 but does not hold an existing authorisation in which case they may have until 31 July 2028 to apply for a licence from MARA under the MAP Act or, The relevant person holds an existing foreshore authorisation, other than a licence from MARA or pre-existing private rights. A licence from MARA may be required and details of the existing authorisation or alleged rights may be requested. Note that MARA may request evidence of either an existing foreshore authorisation, pre-existing rights, or gathering prior to August 2021 when following up on reported harvesting activity or when an application is made. 

Planning to start Harvesting?If you are not an existing harvester as outlined above then you may require a licence from MARA prior to starting any new seaweed harvesting. You should visit the Applying for a MUL section of the MARA website. 

Folio Rights?  Under the MAP Act the requirement for a Maritime Usage Licence from MARA is separate from any property rights that you may hold. For further important details, click here 

Contact: Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, 2nd Floor, Menapia House, Drinagh Business Park, Drinagh, Wexford, Y35 RF29 Website: https://www.maritimeregulator.ie/