Decision to refuse Cornish seaweed farm plan hailed as ‘landmark win’

The refusal to grant a licence for a seaweed farm off the north Cornwall coast is being hailed by the local MP as a “landmark win”.

Applicants for the scheme at Port Quin claimed there would be positive benefits to the environment and the local economy but campaigners strongly disagreed.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) rejected the plans last week, saying there were unacceptable risks to users of the sea, and insufficient evidence there would not be significant impact on the landscape, seascape and environment.

In a statement it said: “The MMO have now concluded all discussions with Camel Fish (the applicant). The MMO has considered all evidence presented during the course of this application, from the applicant, our primary advisors, and the public.

“The MMO has now made the decision to refuse to grant a licence for a seaweed farm in Port Quin Bay.”

In a post on X, Ben Maguire MP said: “The MMO has… officially refused the application for industrial seaweed farms off a stretch of the North Cornish coast at Port Quin – a landmark win for our community.

“I’ve been proud to stand alongside campaigners from day one… [the] decision proves that, when North Cornwall speaks up, we get heard.”