Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.

Working Life

Seaweed farmers manage seaweed from start to finish: they prepare young seaweed, lay it onto ropes or nets at sea, monitor its growth and health, and eventually bring in the crop.

Seaweed farming means growing seaweed on ropes or lines in the water, similar to other aquaculture, with planned, year-round work.

Seaweed harvesting means collecting naturally growing wild seaweed along the coast, which is more seasonal and tide-dependent

A typical seaweed farmer works along the coast, blending hands-on marine farming with technology to track growth and product quality. Their work supports the transformation of seaweed into food, health products, cosmetics, fertilisers and other sustainable materials.

Ireland currently has around 25 licensed seaweed farms, mostly along the North-West, West and South-West coasts, and farmed seaweeds in Ireland are grown on ropes and nets in clean, cold waters well-suited to seaweed cultivation.

A seaweed farmer requires hands-on skills in cultivating seaweed, understanding coastal environments, and caring for crops. They also need knowledge of tides, weather patterns, and safe practices on the water. Employers look for reliability, attention to detail, physical fitness, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team in dynamic coastal conditions.

Aquatech roles in seaweed farming demand expertise in sensors, data systems, remote monitoring, and farm automation. Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability are essential as technology evolves. Employers value digital literacy, analytical thinking, and practical experience in aquaculture.

Key Responsibilities & Tasks of a Seaweed Farmer 

Seaweed Cultivator: Plant and monitor seedlings for healthy growth.

Harvester: Collect mature seaweed for food, cosmetics, or biotech uses.

Maintenance: Maintain equipment, boats, nets, and monitor water quality.

Aquatech Operator: Operate and troubleshoot sensors, automated systems, and data tools.

Health Monitor: Detect algae, pests, or contamination and protect crops.

Quality Controller: Inspect harvested seaweed for sise, quality, and safety.

Environmental Compliance: Ensure farming follows environmental rules and is eco-friendly.

Collaborator: Coordinate with partners to deliver crops and share sustainability data.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Patrol trap lines or nets to inspect settings, remove catch, and reset or relocate traps.
• Obtain permission from landowners to hunt or trap on their land.
• Travel on foot, by vehicle, or by equipment such as boats, snowmobiles, helicopters, snowshoes, or skis to reach hunting areas.
• Steer vessels and operate navigational instruments.
• Skin quarry, using knives, and stretch pelts on frames to be cured.
• Maintain and repair trapping equipment.
• Scrape fat, blubber, or flesh from skin sides of pelts with knives or hand scrapers.
• Put fishing equipment into the water and anchor or tow equipment, according to the fishing method used.
• Maintain engines, fishing gear, and other on-board equipment and perform minor repairs.
• Sort, pack, and store catch in holds with salt and ice.

Further Information

• Seaweed Farmer - from: Bord Iascaigh Mhara

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Entry routes include aquaculture or marine science courses at ATU, SETU, UCC, BIM training, hands-on internships, seasonal work, or moving up from general aquaculture roles.

Training and Support 

Careers in seaweed farming in Ireland typically begin with aquaculture or aquatech training, such as QQI Level 6 Commercial Seaweed or Aquaculture courses, combined with practical on-farm experience.

Key Skills and Certificates include:

• Manual Handling
• First Aid
• Fire Safety
• Health & Safety (often available through local Training Centres or ETBs via FET CourseFinder)
• In line with the STCW Convention (Regulation I/14 and Section A-I/14 of the STCW Code), companies must also ensure that seafarers assigned to their ships receive refresher and updating training as required.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) provides a variety of accredited training and support programmes to develop practical, technical, and safety skills and support for careers in seaweed farming and aquaculture.

These programmes include:

• Seaweed Development Programme (Hatchery and cultivation research)
• Seaweed Development Services (Technical mentoring & blueprints)
• Aquatech Innovation Studio (Mentoring for aquatech start-ups)
• Higher Diploma in Business in Fisheries & Aquaculture (NFQ Level 8)
• Skippers and Crew training and certifications
• Sea‑safety training

PLC/FET Routes

• QQI Level 5 Certificate in Aquaculture

• QQI Level 5 component certificate e.g. Fishing Vessel Engineer or Marine Engineering Process Operations through BIM or National Maritime of Ireland

CAO/Higher Education Routes

• Undergraduate degrees in General Science, Biology, Zoology, or Environmental Science (e.g. Level 7 in Applied Freshwater and Marine Biology and Level 8 in Marine Science)
• Postgraduate studies in Aquaculture and Marine Science including Masters and PhDs (e.g. SETU offer QQI Level 9 in Fisheries & Aquaculture - Wexford). 

Work Experience

Job opportunities exist on licensed farms, hatcheries, processing facilities, and with research or regulatory organisations. Roles range from field-based farm work and technical monitoring to laboratory support and quality control.

Career progression often starts as a farm assistant or junior aquatech worker, advancing to lead seaweed farmer overseeing sections of a farm, and then to farm manager or senior aquatech specialist.

Leaving Certificate Subjects that would benefit the role of Seaweed Farmer 

• Biology
• Agricultural Science 
• Geography
• Construction 
• Engineering 
• Mathematics 
• Computer Science 

Specialisation

There are opportunities to specialise in research, product development, or processing, and experienced professionals may move into regulatory or sustainability roles with BIM or other authorities.

Outlook and Opportunities 

With growing demand for sustainable seaweed, these careers offer long-term potential, including managing multiple farms or establishing independent aquaculture or aquatech operations along Ireland's coastline.

The Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Irish Macro-Algal Cultivation Strategy to 2030     highlights seaweed farming as a sustainable and resource-efficient form of aquaculture with growing potential to provide biomass for food, agriculture, health, and industrial applications.

Pathways 

Start Your Journey

Roles: Farm assistant, hatchery support (young crop care), coastal fieldwork, basic husbandry (crop or animal care)

Time: 0-3 years

Qualifications: Leaving Certificate or equivalent, BIM aquaculture/sea-safety training, small-boat handling, hands-on farm experience.

Grow Your Expertise

Roles: Seaweed technician, site supervisor, hatchery technician, quality and harvesting coordinator.

Time: 3-8 years

Qualifications: Further training with BIM, certificates in aquaculture operations, coastal navigation or equipment handling, experience managing lines, gear, and crop cycles.

Advance to Senior Roles

Roles: farm manager, production planner, quality assurance manager, R&D manager, multi-site operations manager

Time: 8+ years

Qualifications: Advanced aquaculture or marine-science qualification, regulatory and environmental compliance knowledge, proven leadership and operational expertise.

*This timeline is for illustrative purposes only and may vary depending on experience and training.

Already Qualified?

If you already have qualifications, there are marine career opportunities both in Ireland and around the world.

To check how your qualifications compare internationally, you can contact the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (www.qualificationsrecognition.ie    ), the European Network of Information Centres (ENIC), or visit https://europass.europa.eu/en    

Refer to the Useful Contacts tab on this page to identify any professional bodies that may provide training for this career.

Sample Education and Training Pathways

A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: engineering technology, operations, welding, fabrication.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: BIM, commercial scuba diving operations, surface supplied diving, engineering, technology, robotics, electronic technology, pre-university mechatronics.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Example search terms include: Engineering, Instrumentation, Metal Fabrication Apprenticeships.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: automation, robotics, automated systems, intelligent devices, electronic, engineering, physics, instrumentation.

Search for CAO Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

BIM (An Board Iascaigh Mhara)    National Fisheries College 

HSA Health & Safety Authority of Ireland     

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Horticultural trades, Gardeners and landscape gardeners, Groundsmen and greenkeepers, Skilled workers in horse racing and related industries, Agricultural and fishing trades n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Employment growth was below average for this occupation, with little growth between 2023 and 2024. Almost half were employed in the administrative services sector with the remainder primarily employed in agriculture and other NACE sectors.

A relatively high share (37%) of persons employed in this occupation were employed part-time. This occupation also had a high share employed who were aged 55 years and older which will likely lead to higher replacement demand in the coming years and job opportunities even in the absence of employment growth.

Coillte’s commitment to promoting the use of wood products to facilitate an increase in the level of timber-framed homes from 20% to 80% by 2050 has the potential to lead to increased demand for skilled workers in the forestry and wood processing sector, although likely to be small in number.

• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

  • Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 607 2000 Lo Call 1890 200 510
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health and Safety Authority

  • The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce St. Dublin 1
  • 1890 289 389
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)

  • Crofton House, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
  • (01) 214 4100
  • Click Here