What is Wildcrafted Sea Moss? Is it Good for Our Planet?

With all of the attention on wildcrafting in the sea moss space, many people are left wondering ‘just what is wildcrafted sea moss?’ The challenge is that this question has an underbelly that very few people are aware of.

We will look at that some more in a little while. But first, let’s check out the story behind what is wildcrafting sea moss.

What is Wildcrafted Sea Moss?

Wildcrafted sea moss is collected from shorelines and beaches in areas where sea moss grows naturally. The process typically involves cutting or removing the sea moss from the location where it has embedded itself.

This is how many seaweeds grow, and they all form a part of the ecosystem they are found in.

When sea moss, and other seaweeds are wildcrafted, some people are more conscientious than others and only cut the plant a little bit up from where it is rooted on to the rock or substrate.

Others are less concerned about the impact on the environment and rip the seaweed out from where they find it.

Either way, we’re not fans of wildcrafting as it takes away from the environment.

Regardless of if you’re careful with how you cut the seaweed off the rock, or pick it up off the beach if it’s washed up, you’re not doing anything to give back. And neither are you doing anything to give back when you buy wildcrafted products.

It is our belief is that it’s more important to look after the Oceans and our Planet, and where it is feasible and sustainable, planting additional sea moss or other seaweeds for harvesting purposes.

Stick with me on this for a little while as I outline my rationale.

But I thought Real Sea Moss had to be Wildcrafted?

I get that wildcrafting is a romantic idea, but how many people do you think buy sea moss regularly? This question poses a bit of a challenge when you think about it on a commercial scale. What are the direct and indirect impacts related to this?

Did you know that many islands in the Caribbean which are looked to in the marketplace as being primary producers of sea moss are known to have extremely fragile shoreline ecosystems?

Take for example St. Lucia, where studies have shown that there are sections of their shore lines which are protected by coral reefs that are classified as vulnerable. Wildcrafting in such a place adds pressure to the already delicate balance.

Projections have estimated that if coastal development is not controlled, of the 1,462 square kilometres of sea grasses (the habitats that include those where sea moss grows) assessed in the Caribbean in 2010, these will slip back to as low as 155 square kilometres by 2025 if appropriate controls are not put in place. 1

That’s a shocking 89.39% reduction in seagrass habitat area.

So, you can see that there is cause for consideration and discussion at the very least on the topic of wildcrafting. It’s not just the sea moss taken away for human consumption that the Oceans are contending with, it’s also the development of the shorelines that these normally grow along.

what is wildcrafted sea moss - wildraft is bad
Listen to Mr. Mackey, wildcrafting is bad… M’kay. Find this image on Instagram.

But your small bag of sea moss isn’t such a big deal, right?

I would encourage you to think again. You’re just 1 person out of an estimated 7.7 billion people on the planet. Not all of the 7.7 billion people use sea moss though, so it’s not that big of a deal, right?

Let’s assume that 0.01% of the global population consumes sea moss regularly. That’s 770,000 people. Still sounds like a lot, right? That’s only 23,000 people more than the population of the population of Guyana.

What countries do you know where people buy sea moss? I can say that our Customers to date include people (in no particular order) in:

  • America
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • England
  • Poland
  • Germany
  • Sweden
  • South Africa
  • France

These are not countries with small populations. So, how much sea moss could they possibly consume in a year? To keep it simple, let us choose a rather low round number like 10,000 people.

10,000 people is a small number

That’s only 0.00012% of the estimated global population of 7.7 billion people. Or 1.4% of the population of Guyana. Guyana in 2012 had a population of 747,000 people according to their census.

To provide further context, the estimated population of the Caribbean is around 44.9 million people. My point being that 10,000 is a grossly underestimated number to begin with, but it’s tangible.

Let’s say these 10,000 people all buy a single 4oz (approximately 125g) bag of sea moss each month. As a fresh seaweed that has not been dried, that could be as much as 2.2lb (approximately 1kg) which would cover a surface area of as much as 1 square foot (30cm square) when dried.

So, let’s multiply that by 12 so we get the annual volume for 1 person; 4oz becomes 3lb (125g becomes 1.5kg) of dried sea moss which covers a surface area of 12 square feet (3.6m square).

When you multiply that by 10,000 people, which is really quite an underestimate, the numbers become staggering.

So, let’s multiply those figures so we get the annual volume for 10,000 people; 3lb becomes 15t (1.5kg becomes 15,000kg) of dried sea moss which covers a surface area of 4.13 acres (36km square).

If the average beach area is 50m from the shore to the land as a measure of width, this would mean that 36km square would give us 720km (447 miles) of coastline that has had sea moss taken away from it every year.

You can see that this requires much more consideration than knowing how to spot fake sea moss, which is important, but the topic is much bigger than that. This is about our Planet and our Oceans, our Home, and what we’re doing to it.

But we know that the beaches aren’t 100% covered in sea moss at any time. Even after a big storm when there is a huge amount of seaweed washed up on the shore, it’s typically not all sea moss.

So if we conservatively say that 10% of the beach could have sea moss on it at time it stands to reason that we could estimate as much as 7,200km (4,473 miles) of coastline. That’s huge!

Think about it this way, the World Resources Institute calculates the following countries coastlines as below. If the volume of Sea Moss we’re talking about was wildcrafted from the shores of these countries, the results would be devastating.

Even with Sea Moss being able to renew at approximately 45 days for maturation.

CountryCoastline in KilometersMultiples of Coastline
Dominica152km47.36
Saint Lucia166km43.37
Antigua and Barbados289km24.91
Guatemala455km15.82
Mauritius496km14.51
Puerto Rico1,094km6.58
Honduras1,878km3.83
Belize1,996km3.60
Peru3,362km2.14
Tanzania3,461km2.08
South Africa3,751km1.91
Ecuador4,597km1.56
Denmark5,316km1.35
Colombia5,875km1.22
Thailand7,066km1.01

What is the alternative to Wildcrafted Sea Moss?

Taking a responsible approach to farming our Oceans is something that all of us need to aspire to support. It is only when unsustainable operations do not have your money coming to them that they will cease to exist.

This is not about declaring war on any businesses or the wholesale shutting down of unsustainable operations. It is a longer-term application of pressure to apply environmentally friendly changes.

We want to see the current sea moss businesses change what they do. You most likely have your preferred supplier, and that’s fine. But if they aren’t doing the right thing by the Planet, then it’s your responsibility to decide if you wish to continue to support them.

What can be done to change from Wildcrafting Sea Moss?

Instead of wildcrafting at a commercial scale, sea moss businesses need to look towards responsible open ocean farming practices. The emphasis here being on ‘responsible’.

Ocean verticulture may be the source to a future food source that will help both our Planet, and future populations.

There are still challenges with open ocean farming practices, but, as we test more ways of doing this, we get better each time. It is initiatives like this that we seek to support and promote awareness of.

The main consideration when it comes to the open ocean farming of any seaweed, in our opinion, is that it can not be a species that introduces a threat to the area that it is being farmed in.

As much as adding more seaweed to the ocean is a better option than wildcrafting, adding a marine noxious weed can cause a lot more harm than good. Numerous cases are succinctly presented in Seaweed Invasions – A Synthesis of Ecological, Economic and Legal Imperatives (2008) by Professor Craig R. Johnson.

As you can see, looking at the question ‘What is wildcrafted sea moss?’ simply touches the tip of the topic. There are more dynamic elements to this that require consideration as a priority.

Particularly over the romantic ideal that your sea moss came from a pristine beach that grew there naturally. That to me is an indication enough that it is not the right thing to wildcraft for commercial purposes.

FAQs

What is the difference between Irish Sea Moss and Wildcrafted Sea Moss?

Irish Sea Moss, known as Chondrus crispus, is a type of red algae or seaweed that grows on the rocky coasts of the Northern Atlantic. It is known for its nutrient-dense profile, providing vitamins, minerals, and health benefits such as gut health support, chronic condition support, better thyroid health, aiding in weight management, and helping build muscle and collagen.
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Wildcrafted Sea Moss is harvested directly from its natural environment in the ocean, ensuring it hasn’t been cultivated or farmed artificially. This method is often prized for ensuring the Sea Moss retains its natural nutrient profile.

What are the side effects of wildcrafted sea moss?

The side effects of sea moss, including wildcrafted sea moss, may vary depending on individual health conditions and the amount consumed. It’s essential to consider potential interactions with medications or conditions, especially those related to the thyroid, due to its iodine content. As with any supplement, moderation and consultation with a healthcare provider are advisable to avoid adverse effects. 2

Who should not take Sea moss?

Individuals with certain health conditions should exercise caution or avoid taking sea moss. This includes those with hyperthyroidism due to its high iodine content, which can affect thyroid function.

Additionally, people who are allergic to iodine or seafood may experience adverse reactions. It’s also important for individuals taking certain medications, especially those for thyroid disorders, to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating sea moss into their diet to avoid potential interactions.

For detailed guidance, consulting with a healthcare provider is recommended.

Conclusion

In our exploration of wildcrafted Sea Moss, we’ve touched upon its environmental implications and the significance of adopting sustainable harvesting methods. Our commitment to the planet’s health and sustainable practices shines through as we advocate for responsible choices.

To dive deeper into this topic and discover more about our journey towards sustainability, we invite you to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest. There, we continue the conversation, sharing insights, tips, and our passion for “What is wildcrafted Sea Moss” for a healthier planet. Join us in making a difference, one step at a time.

Reference

  1. “Future Coastal Population Growth and Exposure to Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Flooding – A Global Assessment” – B. Neumann, A. Vafeidis, J. Zimmermann, R. Nicholls, 11 March 2015 [Plos One] [Archive] ↩︎
  2. “Sea Moss – Uses, Side Effects, and More” – WebMD Staff, Last checked 20 February 2024 [WebMD] [Archive] ↩︎

Last Updated on 4 weeks by D&C Editorial Team

4 thoughts on “What is Wildcrafted Sea Moss? Is it Good for Our Planet?”

  1. Hi , my question as i am researching would be , what is lost , in nutritional value , when sea moss is gotten from the rocks ( sea bottom ) as opposed to when it is farmed closer to the water surface ? I am seeing claims that if the sea moss feeds of the rocks then it is more nutritious ?

    • Hello Timmy,

      Thank you for your question. This is one that I often find I’m answering, and I’m providing a very similar framework for the response. To avoid blowing things out here I’ve put all of this into an article with some references that might help provide context.

      Depending upon the species of seaweed, the deeper down you go, the less light, and therefore the reduced opportunity for photosynthesis. Getting the balance right is important, which I touched upon in this response article.

      I hope this helps you.

Comments are closed.

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About the Author

Matthew has been on an active journey towards living a healthy life from a young age. Influenced by his Grandmother, a practicing Naturopath who served her community from the 1940's to the 1980's, his views on living holistically were shaped from a young age. Growing up in different parts of Australia, his connection with the Ocean and a passion for sustainability comes through in everything he does and shares.

"I'm not a Doctor, and I don't play one on the Internet." - me

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