Editor:
It was with surprise that I read the water conservation tip number five from the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) on mulching, and noted seaweed as mulch (Coast Reporter, June 25).
As a practice, mulching is great, but when one chooses seaweed as mulch, a series of thoughtful decisions should be made beforehand.
First of all, what is the time of year? February and March are herring spawning months here on the Coast, and herring will often choose seaweeds as the "anchor" for their eggs. By taking seaweeds then, there is the potential to destroy thousands of herring eggs. None should be collected at this time.
Secondly, how much will I take, and how often?
There are a lot of us in the world now, including the Sunshine Coast, and our cumulative impact is significant. That seaweed line is home to many amphipods (small sea creatures) and provides shelter, shade and moisture to many others between the tidal periods. Do you really need seaweed for mulch?
Thirdly, is there something with less impact that I can use to mulch? Many of us throw out or toss into the nearest empty lot great mulch materials like grass clippings, compost or sawdust. Why not use them?
I have been working on, playing at and observing our shorelines for many years, and with each year comes increased realization of the sensitivity and wonder of these transition zones. If you must collect seaweed as mulch for your garden, take only small amounts and over a large area to minimize the impact on this special area of our world.
Dianne Sanford
Roberts Creek
