Photo by Shane Stagner
The Marine Management Organisation has suspended a licence for a large-scale seaweed farm off the north Cornwall coast, citing new environmental and safety concerns including doubts over whether proposed infrastructure could withstand the area’s “energetic” waves.
The suspension follows an internal MMO review of the licence granted in 2023 to Penmayne Ltd for a 110-hectare seaweed farm off Tregardock in Port Isaac Bay, halting the project until February 2027.
New evidence raises structural concerns
The MMO said it had received advice not available during the original licence approval, raising concerns about the structural integrity of the farm and potential risks to marine life, particularly from entanglement in failed infrastructure.
The decision represents a significant setback for what would have been one of the UK’s largest seaweed farming operations, covering 271 acres in waters designated as a Special Area of Conservation.
Campaign groups welcome suspension
Local campaign group Save Our Bays welcomed the decision as a “huge relief” for the coastal community. Spokesperson Barnaby Kay said: “We uncovered multiple issues with the application, including serious questions about the infrastructure’s ability to survive in such a dynamic marine environment. The area is also a designated Special Area of Conservation, and the risk to marine mammals was very real.”
Kay described the suspension as offering a “stay of execution” for the bay, preventing immediate infrastructure deployment and providing time for campaigners to push for full licence revocation.
Political support for community concerns
Local Liberal Democrat MP Ben Maguire praised the outcome, posting on social media: “I cannot thank local campaigners enough for their tireless work in representing residents’ concern. These proposals were pushed through with next to no public consultation. Cases like this show how powerful we can be when we come together to make our voices heard.”
Developer given deadline to respond
The MMO’s suspension document noted that Penmayne Ltd has until February 2027 to address concerns raised or appeal the decision. However, with applications from multiple companies now suspended or withdrawn, the prospects for seaweed farming in the area appear permanently diminished.
The companies involved declined to comment when approached about the suspensions.
Broader implications for marine aquaculture
The suspension highlights growing tensions between marine aquaculture development and environmental protection in sensitive coastal areas. The case demonstrates how new evidence about environmental impacts can lead to retrospective reviews of approved projects, potentially setting precedents for other marine development applications.
The decision also underscores the importance of robust environmental assessments for marine infrastructure projects, particularly in areas with challenging wave conditions and significant conservation designations.
The outcome will be closely watched by both the marine aquaculture industry and environmental groups as a test case for balancing economic development with marine conservation priorities in designated protected areas.