coas:coastal_foraging

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coas:coastal_foraging [2025/12/05 10:03] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1coas:coastal_foraging [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Coastal foraging+This topic is part of [[gt:bushcraft|Bushcraft & Nature]]. 
 +====== Coastal foraging ======
  
  
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-## What is coastal foraging?+===== What is coastal foraging? =====
  
 Coastal foraging covers a wide variety of [wild food](/wild/wild_food) available at the coast – plants, seaweeds, shellfish and crustaceans etc. We're not including information about the broad topic of [fishing](/fish/fishing) in this introduction. Coastal foraging covers a wide variety of [wild food](/wild/wild_food) available at the coast – plants, seaweeds, shellfish and crustaceans etc. We're not including information about the broad topic of [fishing](/fish/fishing) in this introduction.
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 <caption> <caption>
-A group of foragers set off as the tide is heading out for a day amongst the abundance of this rocky coastline. Pic: [The Old Way](http://www.theoldway.info) +_A group of foragers set off as the tide is heading out for a day amongst the abundance of this rocky coastline. Pic: [The Old Way](http://www.theoldway.info)_
 </caption> </caption>
  
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-## What are the benefits of coastal foraging?+===== What are the benefits of coastal foraging? =====
  
 Coastal foraging can provide you with an abundance of truly nutritious food. In particular, shellfish offer a very high energy return with little input, and other than some low-cost (or even home made) equipment, it is free! Seaweed can be easily harvested and is high in vitamins and minerals. Coastal foraging can provide you with an abundance of truly nutritious food. In particular, shellfish offer a very high energy return with little input, and other than some low-cost (or even home made) equipment, it is free! Seaweed can be easily harvested and is high in vitamins and minerals.
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 <caption> <caption>
-It's possible to find a variety of crabs and lobsters in rocky coastlines around the UK. Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)+_It's possible to find a variety of crabs and lobsters in rocky coastlines around the UK. _Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)__
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Lobster pots can be a great way of catching those 'hard to reach' creatures such as lobsters and crabs. Make sure you securely tie it to rocks before throwing it in. Pic: [Raj](http://rajk.photo)  / [Old Way](http://www.theoldway.info)+_Lobster pots can be a great way of catching those 'hard to reach' creatures such as lobsters and crabs. Make sure you securely tie it to rocks before throwing it in. Pic: [Raj](http://rajk.photo)  / [Old Way](http://www.theoldway.info)_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
 There are plenty of courses and books available in coastal foraging (see resources), or you might find someone local out on the shore you can talk to. You'll need to plan your trip around the tides, and not just for safety reasons. A lot of coastal foraging happens at low tide – when pools, gullies, sands and rocks are exposed and accessible, along with the creatures and plants that live there. There are plenty of courses and books available in coastal foraging (see resources), or you might find someone local out on the shore you can talk to. You'll need to plan your trip around the tides, and not just for safety reasons. A lot of coastal foraging happens at low tide – when pools, gullies, sands and rocks are exposed and accessible, along with the creatures and plants that live there.
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 <caption> <caption>
-This one's not for foraging of course - but one of the benefits of being out by the sea whilst you gather food is an opportunity to see some of our beautiful wildlife. Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)+_This one's not for foraging of course - but one of the benefits of being out by the sea whilst you gather food is an opportunity to see some of our beautiful wildlife. Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-### Safety+==== Safety ====
  
 Coastal foraging carries a number of risks that inland foraging simply doesn't. It's worth taking the sea, and it's changeable weather seriously, but don't let it put you off. Check the weather before you go and particularly avoid disorientating sea mists or storms. It's very important to be aware of the tide times, and the speed of the incoming tide. It's safest to head out as the tide is receding, giving you plenty of time before it turns. Also, know if you are heading out on a 'spring tide', around a new or full moon, when there is the greatest difference between high and low water. It's generally a good idea to have more than one exit planned, and make sure you aren't going to get cut off with the incoming tide. Coastal foraging carries a number of risks that inland foraging simply doesn't. It's worth taking the sea, and it's changeable weather seriously, but don't let it put you off. Check the weather before you go and particularly avoid disorientating sea mists or storms. It's very important to be aware of the tide times, and the speed of the incoming tide. It's safest to head out as the tide is receding, giving you plenty of time before it turns. Also, know if you are heading out on a 'spring tide', around a new or full moon, when there is the greatest difference between high and low water. It's generally a good idea to have more than one exit planned, and make sure you aren't going to get cut off with the incoming tide.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Detailed introduction to foraging for limpers and periwinkles+_Detailed introduction to foraging for limpers and periwinkles_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-The wide fronds of kelp tend to grow furthest out, best reached at very low tide and may require getting wet! Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)+_The wide fronds of kelp tend to grow furthest out, best reached at very low tide and may require getting wet! Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 Because of the risks, it's generally best to go with someone, and take a phone. It's good practice to tell someone where you're going and when you plan to be back. Always be sure of the identification of any wild food before you eat it – this particularly goes for the plants. Make sure you are foraging from clean beaches. And beware of algal blooms, especially when foraging bivalves such as clams and oysters, which filter sea water for their food, and are particularly susceptible to contamination. Algal blooms can be the cause of serious shellfish poisoning. Ask local fishermen or your local Port Health Authority, or check local social media sites. Because of the risks, it's generally best to go with someone, and take a phone. It's good practice to tell someone where you're going and when you plan to be back. Always be sure of the identification of any wild food before you eat it – this particularly goes for the plants. Make sure you are foraging from clean beaches. And beware of algal blooms, especially when foraging bivalves such as clams and oysters, which filter sea water for their food, and are particularly susceptible to contamination. Algal blooms can be the cause of serious shellfish poisoning. Ask local fishermen or your local Port Health Authority, or check local social media sites.
  
-### Coastal plants+==== Coastal plants ====
  
 There are some wild food plants that are only found on coastlines and estuaries, such as sea kale and marsh samphire, while others, although not specifically coastal, seem to thrive on coasts. It's worth reading the safe foraging tips on our [Wild Food](/wild/wild_food) page. Marsh Samphire is very popular, and delicious raw or steamed, especially with fish. Found in tidal mudflats, it can be challenging to harvest, but well worth it. There are some wild food plants that are only found on coastlines and estuaries, such as sea kale and marsh samphire, while others, although not specifically coastal, seem to thrive on coasts. It's worth reading the safe foraging tips on our [Wild Food](/wild/wild_food) page. Marsh Samphire is very popular, and delicious raw or steamed, especially with fish. Found in tidal mudflats, it can be challenging to harvest, but well worth it.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Marsh samphire growing in an estuary - not always easy to access but well worth the effort. Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)+_Marsh samphire growing in an estuary - not always easy to access but well worth the effort. _Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)__
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 Some of the most abundant wild greens can be found around the coast, such as the evergreen sea beet, or the young shoots of sea kale. Coastal plants are often more succulent than inshore plants, as it's their defense mechanism against the salty air. Sea buckthorn, as the name implies, grows well near the coast and provided you can brave the sharp spikes, offers some of the most medicinally beneficial berries you can forage - full of vitamins and omega oils; it makes a wonderful immune boosting winter tonic. Some of the most abundant wild greens can be found around the coast, such as the evergreen sea beet, or the young shoots of sea kale. Coastal plants are often more succulent than inshore plants, as it's their defense mechanism against the salty air. Sea buckthorn, as the name implies, grows well near the coast and provided you can brave the sharp spikes, offers some of the most medicinally beneficial berries you can forage - full of vitamins and omega oils; it makes a wonderful immune boosting winter tonic.
  
-### Seaweed+==== Seaweed ====
  
 There isn't a widespread culture around eating seaweed here in the UK, although Wales has 'laverbread'. Seaweed is more commonly thought of as a food from the Far East, especially in Japanese cuisine. There isn't a widespread culture around eating seaweed here in the UK, although Wales has 'laverbread'. Seaweed is more commonly thought of as a food from the Far East, especially in Japanese cuisine.
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 <caption> <caption>
-A sweet introduction to the joys of seaweed harvesting.+_A sweet introduction to the joys of seaweed harvesting._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)+_Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Kelp attached to rocks. It's important to cut seaweed rather than pull it up, so it can regrow from the 'holdfast'. Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)+_Kelp attached to rocks. It's important to cut seaweed rather than pull it up, so it can regrow from the 'holdfast'. Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Pic:  [Raj](http://rajk.photo)  / [Old Way](http://www.theoldway.info)+_Pic:  [Raj](http://rajk.photo)  / [Old Way](http://www.theoldway.info)_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-### Shellfish+==== Shellfish ====
  
 Generally you have a right to fish and collect shellfish in tidal waters, though there are some laws on quantity, time of year, place etc. for gathering some shellfish, and some have a 'minimum landing size'. Do always check what you are doing is legal! John Wright's [_Edible Seashore_](/coas/coastal_foraging) book provides you with most of the information you need. Generally you have a right to fish and collect shellfish in tidal waters, though there are some laws on quantity, time of year, place etc. for gathering some shellfish, and some have a 'minimum landing size'. Do always check what you are doing is legal! John Wright's [_Edible Seashore_](/coas/coastal_foraging) book provides you with most of the information you need.
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 <caption> <caption>
-An area rich in mussels can provide a wonderful wild dinner with little foraging effort. Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)+_An area rich in mussels can provide a wonderful wild dinner with little foraging effort. Pic: [Coastal Foraging](https://coastalforaging.co.uk)_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Spider crabs are one of the biggest crabs on our seashores; any you collect must be above 13cm as a 'minimum landing size'. Pic: [Old Way](http://www.theoldway.info)+_Spider crabs are one of the biggest crabs on our seashores; any you collect must be above 13cm as a 'minimum landing size'. Pic: [Old Way](http://www.theoldway.info)_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Removing a crab from a lobster pot. These collapsable pots are easy to carry around, but don't last much more than one season. Pic: [Raj](http://rajk.photo)  / [Old Way](http://www.theoldway.info)+_Removing a crab from a lobster pot. These collapsable pots are easy to carry around, but don't last much more than one season. Pic: [Raj](http://rajk.photo)  / [Old Way](http://www.theoldway.info)_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Mixing the white leg meat with the brown body meat of a spider crab - a tasty meal. Thin tools are useful to get all the meat out the legs. Pic: [Old Way](http://www.theoldway.info)+_Mixing the white leg meat with the brown body meat of a spider crab - a tasty meal. Thin tools are useful to get all the meat out the legs. Pic: [Old Way](http://www.theoldway.info)_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Some coastal foraging inspiration for the adventurous!+_Some coastal foraging inspiration for the adventurous!_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## Further resources+===== Forum ===== 
 + 
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:bushcraft|Bushcraft & Nature]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/bushcraft). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources ===== 
 + 
 +- [How to start coastal foraging](https://www.lovefood.com/news/59187/how-to-get-started-foraging) 
 +- [the Seaweed Site](https://www.seaweed.ie/index.php) 
 +- [RNLI](https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2018/july/give-it-a-go-coastal-foraging) - give it a go: coastal foraging 
 +- [Craig Evans](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpBQMibpipuqHsI_mJMVveA/videos) - coastal foraging videos 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Related topics =====
  
 +- [Bushcraft](bush:bushcraft)
 +- [Nature awareness](ntaw:nature_awareness)
 +- [Low-impact food & drink](lifo:food)
 +- [Low-impact seafood](seaf:seafood)
 +- [Fishing](fish:fishing)
 +- [Wild food](wild:wild_food)
 +- [Wild swimming](wisw:wild_swimming)
 +- [Game / wild meat](game:game)
 +- [Crayfish](cray:crayfish)
 +- [Commoning](comg:commoning)
  
-## Specialist(s)+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
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