The company that has revived seaweed processing as a major Hebridean industry this week launched the first cutting vessel of its kind to be seen in the islands.

The Hebridean Seaweed Company which is based at Arnish in Lewis, and takes in weed from as far south as South Uist, has acquired an Aquamarine Aquatic Plant Harvester built in Canada and bought from Florida.

Using the new cutting vessel, the company will be better equipped to gather uncontaminated seaweed which will then be stored at sea in net sacks, each holding a tonne, before being processed. Mr MacLeod said it would be a "much cleaner product" and there would be more seaweed cut, with tidal constraints reduced.

The company employs eight people at Arnish while there are more than 30 cutters working for them throughout the islands. Mr MacLeod stressed that the new vessel was not intended to replace the cutters but to complement their work.

Cutters can make up to £250 day, he says, though £100 is more normal. "We need to entice younger people into cutting seaweed," added Mr MacLeod. "Otherwise the skills will come to an end. It fits in very well with other occupations like crofting or fishing."

The Hebridean Seaweed Company sells most of its production through an agent in Stirling. More than half goes into mineral supplements for animals with the pharmaceutical and alginates industries other big customers. But the human health food market also offers a big opportunity which the new acquisition should help them to access.

There is plenty of room for expansion. Mr MacLeod reckons that they currently exploit no more than one per cent of the Western Isles seaweed resource — and pay the Crown Estate 60p per tonne for the privilege of doing so!