Linking the Scottish West Coast’s industrial history of kelp production to the modern extractive activity of salmon farming, this project aims to utilise the potential of seaweed in the critical zone to mitigate the waste and pollution created by fish farms in the waters surrounding the island of Lismore. Working alongside investigations already carried out by the Scottish Association for Marine Science, kelp is grown beneath the proposed pier, creating a seaweed ‘curtain’ between the island and the farm that passively absorbs excess nitrogen, carbon dioxide and phosphates as well as supporting biodiversity in the loch. Once fully matured the curtain is raised to dry above the pier, creating a visible protest in view of the commercial ferry path, making known the activity occurring below the surface. On land looking down on the pier, reactivating the site of a historic dun ruin, a pavilion is erected through collective effort. Small timber A frames slot together to replicate the structure that was once there and when dried the kelp is added, completing the cycle.
Part infrastructure, part protest, this project reconnects the area with its historic industry and provides
tangible action for the local people to reclaim their coastline against the salmon farms, reconnecting
community, ecology, and coastline.