How is Irish moss used as a commercial resource on Prince Edward Island?

On Prince Edward Island, the harvesting of Irish moss serves as a secondary industry within the province's economy.1

This seaweed is commercially valued as a source of carrageenan, a gelatinous substance extracted from the plant. Once processed, carrageenan functions as an essential emulsifying, thickening, and suspending agent. Its versatile applications include:213

• Food products: Used as a stabilizer or thickener.23
• Pharmaceuticals: Utilized for its properties as a demulcent.3
• Industrial uses: Employed in the production of cosmetics, shoe polishes, and for curing leather.2

The harvesting of this resource supports the island's broader maritime economy, which is otherwise dominated by the lobster catch and other shellfish industries.1