UK Seaweed launch helps industry capitalise on emerging opportunities

The UK’s expanding blue economy took a significant step forward recently with the official launch of UK Seaweed at the Scottish Seaweed Industry Conference, in Oban.

This new representative body, designed to unify and amplify the voice of the sector, is the direct result of extensive foundational work and stakeholder engagement led by the UK Agri-Tech Centre.

The launch marks a pivotal moment for farmed and sustainable wild harvested seaweed in the United Kingdom and, with the global seaweed market projected to grow exponentially, the UK is uniquely positioned to become a leader in sustainable ocean crops.

The new body will serve as the central hub for growers, processors, researchers and technology providers, streamlining the path from research to commercial reality and acting as one voice for the UK Seaweed sector outside of Scotland.

The formation of this body follows a comprehensive 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 start ups in the South West of England.

Through a series of workshops, the UK Agri-Tech Centre identified a critical need for a single, cohesive entity to navigate regulatory landscapes, standardise production quality and attract investment.

Working with the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-UK) these needs were refined and this launch creates that entity.

‘The potential of the UK seaweed sector is vast, ranging from sustainable food sources and crop biostimulants 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 is 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.

Seaweed farming offers a regenerative approach to aquaculture, with the ability to absorb excess nutrients, boost marine biodiversity and provide alternatives to traditional nitrogen based fertilisers.

Fran Batt, seaweed solutions senior project manager at WWF-UK, said: ‘WWF is delighted to provide funding support for the establishment of this body.

‘Seaweed farming presents a unique opportunity to develop a thriving industry that works with our oceans, not against them.

‘Supporting this representative body ensures that sustainability is baked into the DNA of the UK’s seaweed sector as it scales up.’

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.’

To ensure operational excellence from day one, Seaweed Scotland has been appointed to lead the administration and secretariat functions of the new body.

Its deep regional expertise, proven success in supporting the Scottish seaweed sector and existing networks will provide the administrative backbone required to manage the membership and drive the initial strategic agenda.

‘We are honoured to move this UK-wide initiative into action,’ said Rhianna Rees, CEO at Seaweed Scotland.

‘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,’ added Martin Sutcliffe.

‘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.’

The new body officially begins in early 2026 with a primary focus on establishing a national roadmap for sector growth and opening dialogue with government regarding marine licensing reform.