Plans for seaweed farm at beauty spot withdrawn

A shellfish company has withdrawn its appeal against the rejection of a seaweed farm off north Cornwall.

The Marine Management Organisation refused to grant a licence for a seaweed farm at Port Quin in April 2025 to Camel Fish. Camel Fish then lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate later that year, which it has now withdrawn.

No-one was available from Camel Fish for comment. The MMO has been approached for comment.

Initially Biome Algae and Camel Fish had put in plans in 2024 for two seaweed farms off Port Quin, although Biome Algae pulled out of the application a year later.

Barnaby Kay, a member of Save Our Bays organisation, said: "We have just received the news the company has withdrawn their appeal, which is the final move to free up this area from development."

Kay said Port Quin was a visually spectacular place which was environmentally fragile, a safe anchorage for cargo ships and also a fishing area for lobsters and crabs.

He said: "It's been a saga. It's completely taken over my life, to be honest, and has meant a complete change in career for me.

"The general public were up in arms two years ago."

Asked about his concerns if another company could see the potential for another seaweed farm, Kay said he would warn them against it "because we are a very galvanised and experienced group now".

He said: "We have a lot of back up from environmental groups, including our MP.

"The MMO, who issue marine licences for these kinds of developments, have unequivocally rejected these applications that happened in April 2024."

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