UK Seaweed launched to help sector capitalise on emerging opportunities
A new representative body for the UK seaweed sector has been launched with an initial primary focus on establishing a national roadmap for growth and also opening dialogue with government regarding marine licensing reform.
Designed to unify and amplify the voice of the seaweed sector, UK Seaweed will serve as a central hub for growers, processors, researchers and technology providers. It will also streamline the path from research to commercial reality and acting as one voice for the UK seaweed sector outside of Scotland.
UK Seaweed’s formation follows a period of industry consultation spearheaded by the UK Agri-Tech Centre. Over the past 18 months, the centre has engaged stakeholders across the four nations, ranging from artisanal harvesters in the Highlands to biotech startups in the Southwest of England.
“The potential of the UK seaweed sector is vast, ranging from sustainable food sources and crop bio-stimulants to biodegradable packaging and pharmaceuticals,” said Martin Sutcliffe, Head of Agri-Systems at the UK Agri-Tech Centre. “However, potential requires structure to become power, and we are incredibly proud to have led the initial work that brought these diverse stakeholders together.
“By facilitating these critical early conversations, we have helped lay the groundwork for a unified industry voice that is now ready to stand on its own.”
The launch was strengthened by significant funding support from WWF-UK through its ‘Unlocking the Power of Seaweed’ Project, funded by The National Lottery Climate Action Fund, underscoring the environmental significance of the sector.
Sophie Wood, Programme Manager at UK Seaweed, said: “The UK’s seaweed industry is uniquely placed to strengthen the UK’s commitment to restoring marine ecosystems while supporting local jobs and sustainable growth. UK Seaweed will support the sector as it expands – demonstrating that economic success and environmental stewardship can, and should, go hand in hand”.
Seaweed Scotland has been appointed to lead the administration and secretariat functions of the new body.
Rhianna Rees, CEO at Seaweed Scotland, said: “While our roots are in Scotland, the challenges and opportunities we face – licensing, supply chain infrastructure and market access – are shared across the UK. With the backing of the UK Agri-Tech Centre and WWF-UK, we are ready to drive the sector forward.”
While the new body will operate independently, the UK Agri-Tech Centre has confirmed it will remain a close strategic partner.
Moving forward, the centre plans to collaborate with the new body to drive technical innovation. This includes leveraging the centre’s advanced engineering, precision agriculture and data capabilities to solve specific industry bottlenecks, such as the mechanisation of harvesting and the optimisation of processing facilities for the sector.
“This is not a departure for the UK Agri-Tech Centre, but an evolution of our role,” Sutcliffe said. “We are moving from conveners to more of an advisory role.
“We look forward to working side-by-side with the new organisation to inject agri-tech innovation into the marine environment, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of the global seaweed revolution.”
