The occupation of seaweed harvester, this hard job of "sea reapers" is carried out by boat or on foot on coastal rocks.
In reality, apart from the fact that they harvest the same product, they are two very different professions.
For those who practice it by boat, tell them about the small port of Lanildut... they know it!
Lanildut and the seaweeders by boat
This small port, although little known by the French, is still the first algae unloading port in Europe! It spends 35,000 tonnes per year, or about three-fifths of French production. Off this port, it is the Iroise Sea, with the largest seaweed field in Europe spread over large rocky plateaus.
This is an activity that is nevertheless becoming increasingly difficult and most of the vessels active in this field are also engaged in fishing.
When visiting this small typical port, don't forget to visit the Maison de l'Algue.
Meneham and the seaweeders on foot
This profession was also practiced a lot on foot, on the rocks, and for example around Meneham (see the article "Meneham, from cottages to rocks").
When the seaweed is picked up, from a boat, or on the shore, the work is not finished, far from it... It must be spread out so that it dries, at a rate of about 10 fresh tons for 2 dry tons. Then it is burned to obtain soda bread. Finally, the iodine remains to be extracted from the soda. In the end, it takes about 25 tons of seaweed to obtain about ten kilos of iodine.
In addition to its hardness, this profession has had to face fierce competition throughout history. For example, from 1930 onwards, Russia, the Netherlands Indies, and the United States extracted iodine from petroleum refining residues, which proved to be cheaper and more expensive as a result. As a result, in three years, prices have fallen from around 220 Fr. per kilo of iodine to around 35 Fr.
For information about the seaweed house:
Tourist information relay
Quai de Cambarell
29840 Lanildut
Tel.: 02.98.98.48.48.12.88
