Forget the fish, should we harvest seaweed?

IT is usually the last thing fishermen want to catch.

But a marine research facility is to assess the viability of seaweed harvesting as a green cash crop for the industry.

The Scottish Association for Marine Science (Sams) has been asked to examine opportunities for growth in the market in Scottish waters. Seaweed is increasingly used in products including food and medicine.

The study has been commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which believes there is an opportunity to expand the industry.

The quango says an abundant supply of brown kelp could be a particular area to exploit.

Sams – part of the University of the Highlands and Islands – will carry out activities off the coast to assess the idea, including sending out divers to survey potential yields for harvests.

The lead researcher, marine ecologist Professor Mike Burrows, said: ‘We will initially create maps covering Scotland’s coast in order to assess overall quantities of seaweed.’

James Cameron, HIE’s head of life sciences, said: ‘We believe it could develop into a much bigger industry for Scotland, which has a large supply of seaweed around its coastline.

‘This project will investigate if seaweed harvesting may be a significant opportunity for fishermen to diversify.’