Uist ASCO Stòras deal
Local seaweed harvesters call for competition
Negotiations are underway to determine rights to commercial seaweed harvesting within the Stòras Uibhist estate.
The issue was raised at the recent SnBM AGM, when local harvester Brendan Johnston called for greater scrutiny over any deal agreed between the South Uist estate and Uist ASCO.
In a passionate plea to the board, Mr Johnston asked for reassurance that Stòras would not not allow Uist ASCO exclusive rights to commercial harvesting within the estate.
Mr Johnston is working with a number fellow harvesters to establish an independent commercial harvesting operation and told Am Pàipear that his business plans were at risk if an exclusive deal was agreed with ASCO.
“Seaweed is possibly the islands’ largest sustainable resource and we currently harvest nowhere near the maximum sustainable volume.
“There is room on the islands for more than one seaweed business and competition is required. Local startups like ours will be scuppered if Stòras Uibhist doesn’t get a handle on what the seaweed is worth.
“Uist ASCO are great for providing so much work for so many, but if they hold exclusive rights over the weed in the south, as they do under the 30 year deal they currently have in the north, they will dictate price and dominate our resources for many years to come and that will certainly be to our detriment.”
Asked for clarification on this issue, Stòras CEO Darren Taylor told Am Pàipear:
“The board has been in discussions with Uist ASCO and these discussions are on-going. Uist ASCO is an important local business and the board is keen to support their plans for investment and job creation. At the same time, it is important we respect the rights of seaweed cutters and do not prevent other individuals or businesses from taking advantage of the seaweed.
“We have spoken both to Uist ASCO and to a number of local entrepreneurs who are keen to establish their own company. Having heard the case on both sides, I believe we can agree a compromise that will allow both parties to flourish. Seaweed is a valuable asset and we are keen to make sure we manage it for the benefit of all our members and the whole community. We believe there is enough seaweed available within the estate to allow Uist ASCO the tonnage they need to progress their business growth plans, and to ensure that adequate tonnage remains to allow new business to establish and grow their plans too.
“Whatever happens, Stòras is keen to stress that the rights of crofters to harvest seaweed for use on their crofts will not be affected.”
Mr Johnston is one of a number of harvesters who have approached Am Pàipear to share concerns about pay, saying Uist ASCO undervalues the role of hand harvesters: “By paying us half the value of what the same company is paying in Ireland, effectively, the traditional harvesters are paying for our own replacement. The Stornoway seaweed firm currently run six mechanical harvesters and have no traditional guys left.”
Jean-Pierre Brien, Uist ASCO Ltd’s Director Projects Europe said: “Uist ASCO has increased rates pay to harvesters in Uist by over 50% in the past five years and we also offer assistance with training and equipment. Harvesters can earn good money in their own time and work at their own pace. It is in our best interests to support the harvesters as best possible and we are proud of how we do this on an individual bases.
“Uist ASCO has made substantial investments and now provides employment to over 50 islanders. We know that the combination of relying on the work of hand harvesters, augmented by a mechanical harvester to fill in the gaps, will allow us to continue such investments. We are passionate about sustaining the traditions of hand harvesting in Uist, yet must also sustain our business with a stable intake of seaweed to the factory, which historically we haven’t seen.”
Across most of Scotland, commercial seaweed harvesting is carried out under license from the Crown Estate and with agreement from Nature Scot. In privately owned sections of Scotland’s foreshore, and here on our estates, no license is required nor is any consultation required with Nature Scot.
In North Uist, Uist ASCO has a long-standing sole- harvester arrangement with the estate.
Originally a North Uist owned and operated company, Uist ASCO was bought by Acadian Seaplants Limited (ASL) Nova Scotia in 2017. ASL is a global, bio-tech company and the largest independent manufacturer of marine plant products of its type in the world.
