As this blurry picture shows or attempts to show, he was gathering seaweed.
It was explained to me that there is a chemical that can be extracted from this seaweed. I can't remember what it is or what it's used for, but I think it's interesting how folk will find a way to eke a living out of meagre resources.
Note: the Firefox spellchecker, which does not support non-American English as far as I know, causes me to question myself sometimes. Yes dictionary, spelling meagre with and re and not an er ending is perfectly acceptable. Sheesh!
