Anger over seaweed farms off north Cornish coast

A group of campaigners from Save Port Quin walked down to the cliffs on Friday

Two companies have applied to create two new seaweed farms off the north Cornwall coast, prompting an angry response from local residents.

Applicants Biome Algae and Camel Fish have applied to create a zoned-off area of 100 hectares (247 acres), off the coast at Port Quin, near Port Isaac.

On Friday, more than 50 people in the Save Port Quin campaign group joined a protest on the cliffs at Doyden Castle against the proposals.

The companies said people had 28 days to represent their views to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

Doyden Castle looks over the bay where two seaweed farms are planned

Earlier this year, similar plans at Gerrans Bay off Portscatho were withdrawn by applicants Biome Algae and a company called Carbon Sea Garden after local opposition.

Another 1 sq km (247 acres) seaweed farm has been approved between Port Quin and Port Isaac.

Biome Algae said it applied to the MMO regarding the Port Quin plans in July 2023.

Resident Sky Yolland said it was a "total shock" as no-one had heard of it and the local community had not been consulted about it.

"The more we have dug into it, the more we are worried about this particular bay being not the right place for a seaweed farm.

"It's less about carbon capture and more about the monetisation and privatisation of our bay, " she said.

Fellow resident Rupert Hume-Kendall said: "This is the most beautiful marine environment in the entire world and, if you think it is going to be enhanced by hundreds of buoys, it's not.

"It's going to be ruined. "

Biome Algae and Camel Fish said both companies had placed adverts in local papers and magazines as directed by the MMO, and a public notice was placed in a prominent location.

Sky Yolland said the plans were a "total shock"

Regarding the plans approved near Port Isaac, local fisherman Jeremy Brown said: “We were notified some time ago that there was a proposal, and we were asked for our observations.

"As the people in the harbour, we wanted to know more, and I don’t really think we heard anymore.

"Now I’m hearing it’s gone through so it’s rather annoying.”

Applicant Penmayn Limited has been approached for comment.