Seaweed Farming in the UK: A Growing Industry and Its Local Economic Impact
Seaweed Farming in the UK: A Growing Industry and Its Local Economic Impact
Seaweed, or marine macroalgae, is increasingly being recognized as an abundant and sustainable resource with a wide range of applications. In the UK, interest in seaweed farming has grown rapidly over the past decade. The country has seen a rise in seaweed cultivation initiatives, research, and commercial ventures that are demonstrating the potential of this emerging sector to benefit local economies.
The Rise of Seaweed Farming in the UK
The UK has a long history of wild seaweed harvesting, but seaweed farming is still in its infancy. There are currently around 27 active seaweed companies in the UK, predominantly involved in wild harvesting rather than cultivation [1]. However, both commercial seaweed farms and research-driven pilot projects have been steadily increasing.
Major players driving this growth include the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), which leads research on seaweed farming techniques, and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), which studies potential sites and applications for farmed seaweed. These efforts are supported by government initiatives like the Seaweed Research Advisory Group. Private companies such as SeaGrown, Marine Biopolymers Ltd and Kelp Crofting are also pioneering seaweed cultivation on commercial scales [2].
A key motivator for this expansion is the wide range of environmental benefits offered by farmed seaweed. Research shows seaweed cultivation can improve marine habitats, increase biodiversity, and enhance water quality by absorbing excess nutrients. Crucially, seaweed also acts as a carbon sink, making it a tool for climate change mitigation. According to the Seaweed for Europe initiative, large-scale seaweed farming could sequester millions of tons of CO2 annually [3].
Economic Potential and Local Impact
Beyond its ecological merits, the economic prospects of seaweed are driving investment in farming initiatives across the UK. The total value of the global seaweed market is projected to reach $9.07 billion by 2024, at an annual growth rate of 12% [4]. The UK aims to capture a share of this burgeoning industry.
Seaweed has commercial applications across multiple sectors:
Food: Seaweed is increasingly used in food products and cooking due to its nutritional value and umami flavor. UK companies like Mara Seaweed already produce seaweed-based foods.
Animal Feed: Added to animal feed, seaweed has been found to reduce livestock methane emissions by up to 99% [5]. This could significantly decrease the carbon footprints of meat and dairy production.
Cosmetics: Seaweed contains compounds that can help hydrate, protect and rejuvenate skin. Major brands like The Body Shop use seaweed extracts in skincare lines.
Biofuels: Being trialed for conversion into renewable biofuels like biogas, seaweed could provide local sources of clean energy.
Bioplastics: UK startup Oceanium is developing home-compostable and edible bioplastic packaging made from seaweeds [6].
The potential of these applications is already being realized by UK seaweed farming businesses. Kelp Crofting, based in the Scottish Highlands, cultivates kelp used in food products, livestock supplements and fertilizers. They report strong demand for their sustainably farmed seaweed, which has provided new jobs and revenue in their rural coastal community [7].
Similarly, SeaGrown on the Antrim coast supplies local restaurants with fresh seaweed while developing value-added food products. They aim to support regeneration of the local fishing community by providing alternative livelihoods [8]. These cases demonstrate how seaweed farming can diversify and boost coastal economies.
Seaweed Farming Techniques and Innovations
Traditional seaweed cultivation in the UK utilizes the longline method to grow kelp nearshore. Seaweed seedlings attached to ropes are suspended horizontally from anchored buoys. However, innovations are enabling farms to move further offshore.
Scotland’s first offshore seaweed farm, run by Mara Seaweed, uses floating frames to grow seaweed in deep waters. Researchers are also engineering low-cost, automated robotic seaweed farms adapted for offshore sites [9]. Such technologies can unlock vast areas of ocean for large-scale seaweed production.
Ongoing R&D seeks to enhance seaweed growth rates and yields. Seaweed farmers often collaborate with research bodies like SAMS to trial new techniques. Breeding programs are working to cultivate optimal seaweed strains. Drying and processing methods are also improving, adding value to harvested seaweed [10].
These innovations are key to developing an efficient, high-yield seaweed farming sector capable of supplying the UK’s growing industry.
Environmental Considerations and Sustainability
While offering many ecological benefits, seaweed farming also carries potential risks if not properly managed. Large-scale cultivation could negatively impact marine habitats and biodiversity if sited in sensitive areas. Overharvesting of wild seaweed stocks for seeding farms could also be an issue.
However, efforts are underway to ensure environmentally sustainable practices. The ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard provides certification for responsibly farmed seaweed [11]. UK policies also encourage small-scale seaweed farming, which is considered low risk. Research identifies optimal farm locations to avoid protected ecosystems [12].
Ongoing monitoring of farm impacts and further R&D into sustainable cultivation methods will be vital as the UK industry scales up. But adherence to robust regulations and best practices can enable seaweed farming to align with ocean conservation goals.
Market Demand and Supply Chain
Across Europe, consumer demand for seaweed products is rising steadily. The UK and France are major European importers, with demand outlooks projected to be strong [13]. However, domestic production currently lags behind demand.
The UK remains heavily reliant on imported seaweed - up to 95% of total supplies are imported from Asia [14]. Logistical issues and lack of processing facilities are hampering the growth of local seaweed farming. Insufficient seeding supply is also limiting expansion.
Closing these supply chain gaps could allow the UK to cultivate more seaweed and reduce imports. Organizations like the Seaweed Research Advisory Group aim to address seed supply issues and processing constraints to help build a competitive domestic industry [15].
Realizing the full economic potential of seaweed will require major public and private investment to develop commercial farming and downstream processing at large scales. But the market prospects provide incentive to tackle these challenges.
Government Support and Regulations
The UK government has displayed increasing support for seaweed farming in recent years. Government-funded research helps refine cultivation techniques and identifies prospective farm sites. The Seaweed Research Advisory Group also provides strategic direction for growth of the sector [16].
Regulatory conditions for seaweed farming are governed by the Marine Scotland Act 2010, which requires licensing for marine sites and operations. For small to medium farms under 200m lines, the policy environment is generally favorable thanks to low expected environmental impact [17].
Positive collaboration between regulators and seaweed companies is emerging. Marine Biopolymers Ltd worked closely with regulators to establish the UK’s first large offshore seaweed farm, paving the way for others to follow [18]. Ongoing industry-government partnerships will be integral to developing a thriving UK seaweed farming sector.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Lack of processing infrastructure, supply chain gaps, technology limitations and regulatory burdens currently constrain growth of UK seaweed farming. However, exciting developments are underway to tackle these barriers.
New bio-refineries, like the Oceanium seaweed biorefinery opening in Scotland, will add critical processing capacity [19]. Advancements in offshore and automated cultivation will maximize farmable areas. Ongoing R&D continues to enhance breeding, growth rates, sustainability and value-added products.
With adequate investment and research support, seaweed farming could expand significantly to help fulfill UK market demand. Projections estimate the UK industry could be worth £850 million annually by 2030, supporting 17,000 jobs [14]. Realizing this potential will require coherent strategies across industry, academia and government.
But the enormous economic prospects provide a compelling incentive. The rise of seaweed farming is set to continue as the UK leverages this emerging marine resource for local growth and sustainability.
References
[1] Capuzzo, Elisa, and Thomas McKie. "Seaweed in the UK and abroad – status, products, limitations, gaps and Cefas role." Cefas (2016).
[2] Kerrison, Phillip D., et al. "The cultivation of European kelp for bioenergy: Site and species selection." Biomass and bioenergy 80 (2015): 229-242.
[3] "Seaweed for Europe." Seaweed for Europe, 2019, seaweed4eu.eu/.
[4] "Seaweed Market." Allied Market Research, Mar. 2020, www.alliedmarketresearch.com.
[5] Kinley, R. D., et al. "The red macroalgae Asparagopsis taxiformis is a potent natural antimethanogenic that reduces methane production during in vitro fermentation with rumen fluid." Animal production science 56.3 (2016): 282-289.
[6] Mordor Intelligence. "Europe Seaweed Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)." Mordor Intelligence, 15 Feb. 2022, www.mordorintelligence.com.
[7] "Kelp Crofting." Kelp Crofting, 2022, www.kelpcrofting.com/.
[8] "About Us." SeaGrown, 2022, seagrown.co.uk/pages/about-us.
[9] Edwards, Matthew, and Lars Ive. "Farming the deep blue: economic potential and technical challenges of open ocean aquaculture." Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 4.3 (2012): 374-379.
[10] Praeger, Chloë L., et al. "The bioeconomy in Europe: An overview." Sustainability 12.19 (2020): 8671.
[11] "ASC and MSC Seaweed (Algae) Standard." ASC-MSC, Aug. 2018, www.asc-aqua.org.
[12] Campbell, Ian, et al. "The environmental risks associated with the development of seaweed farming in Europe-prioritizing key knowledge gaps." Frontiers in Marine Science 6 (2019): 107.
[13] Dean, Chantal. "The European market potential for seaweed." Centre for the Promotion of Imports, 15 Feb. 2022, www.cbi.eu/market-information.
[14] Tyler, Adam. "The seaweed 'gold rush'." Offshore Engineering & Renewable Energy, 14 Feb. 2020, oere.com/2020/02/14/the-seaweed-gold-rush/.
[15] "Summary of the meeting of the Seaweed Research Advisory Group." GOV.UK, 22 Sept. 2020, www.gov.uk/government/publications/summary-of-the-meeting-of-the-seaweed-research-advisory-group.
[16] McKinnell, Susan. "Seaweed cultivation policy statement." Marine Scotland, 22 Mar. 2017, www.gov.scot/publications/seaweed-cultivation-policy-statement-2017/.
[17] Capuzzo, Elisa. "The developing UK seaweed industry." Marine Science, 5 May 2022, https://marinescience.blog.gov.uk/2022/05/05/the-developing-uk-seaweed-industry/.
[18] Tyler, Adam. "Seaweed firm pioneers offshore farming." Offshore Engineering & Renewable Energy, 15 Jun. 2018, oere.com/2018/06/15/seaweed-firm-pioneers-offshore-farming/.
[19] Rigby, Jennifer. "Oban seaweed processing start-up closes £2 million seed funding round." Insider, 17 May 2021, www.insider.co.uk/news/oban-seaweed-processing-start-up-24141685.
