The application for a licence under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 was put in by Southcoast Seaweed Ltd. If approved, will allow a 25-hectare farm to be set up five kilometres from the shore.
Andrew Payne-Cook, co-founder of Southcoast Seaweed, said he hoped the farm – which should be in place by October – would be the first of many.
He added: “It will help clear the seas of the problems that we have – it will capture nitrates, it will carbon capture.”
The farm will create a number of jobs.
Mr Payne-Cook said: “It’s something positive for people to get involved with eventually, so they can actually work on the waters again. It all seems to have died away so I’m trying to get [people] working on the sea again.”
If all goes as planned, the seaweed will be planted in October, growing on lines between 2m and 4m below the surface, with harvesting in May.
While seaweed has countless uses, such as food, medicine, packaging and fuel, Mr Payne-Cook said the Southcoast Seaweed harvest will initially go to make fertiliser. Other options will be looked at in the future.
A report into the plans said: “The farm will be made up of eight separate patches, each containing five longlines, with lines spaced carefully to allow water movement, marine life passage and safe navigation.
“Each longline will be securely anchored at both ends using heavy reef cubes, and surface buoys will suspend the seaweed at optimal depth for growth while keeping the farm visible to other sea users.
“The spacing between longlines and patches has been designed to minimise interference with recreational or commercial boating, ensuring the farm coexists safely with other activities in the bay.”
Mr Payne-Cook hopes to receive the licence within the next six weeks.
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