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The Port Isaac Bay seaweed farm licence has been suspended!

MMO suspend Penmayne's licence until Feb 2027

On 29th August 2025, the MMO released the result of their internal review regarding the licence obtained by Penmayne Ltd in 2023 to deploy infrastructure for a 110 hectare seaweed farm off Tregardock in Port Isaac Bay.

The internal review was forced by a robust and detailed community campaign against the proposal, and is the result of a great deal of hard work and dedication on the part of the Save Port Isaac Bay Group, and the wider community. We are all extremely grateful for the level of support from local residents, the thousands of visitors to the area, and from Ben Maguire, MP for North Cornwall.

The licence suspension is effective immediately and runs until 27 February 2027. If Penmayne cannot satisfy the conditions laid out in the suspension document by that date, or through the appeal process, then the licence will be revoked.

Please read or download the MMO's suspension notice below.

It is also worth comparing this notice to the Decision Report produced by the MMO in relation to the rejection of the Port Quin Bay seaweed farm application. Being geographically close, and with remarkably similar application documents, it is our belief that the Port Quin rejection will have some effect on the future of Penmayne's licence.

Please scroll down to read or download the Port Quin Decision Report.

The Port Quin campaign against large-scale seaweed farm applications has been successful

The communities around Port Quin in North Cornwall are thrilled that the Marine Management Organisation (who licence marine developments) have refused the Camel Fish Ltd seaweed farm licence for the nearshore of Port Quin Bay (Biome Algae, the lead applicant, withdrew their application at the end of February).

This decision marks the end of what has been over a year of relentless campaigning by the local community, who uncovered not just false and misleading statements in the applications, but serious failings in the Marine Management Organisation’s Quality Assurance and licensing processes.

We are all delighted with the outcome, but will still be supporting the campaigns against the seaweed farm application in Combe Martin, and the licensed seaweed farm in Port Isaac Bay.

READ OR DOWNLOAD THE FULL DECISION REPORT ABOVE

Please do contact if you would like more information.

CONTACT

Save Our Bays is a Community Interest Company which supports coastal communities and the marine and coastal environment. Through information sharing and engagement with community groups, schools and individuals, we are committed to the conservation and protection of our precious nearshore and coastal habitats.

Through lobbying, press engagement and collaboration with other marine advocates, we help to raise awareness of threats to coastal areas, and support campaigns to preserve marine ecosystems.

Whilst the ‘Blue Economy’, in the form of seaweed aquaculture and other mariculture installations, carbon capture ventures, Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement, desalination and biotechnology, are very possibly the beginnings of a solution to mitigate the impacts of climate change, these projects need to be handled carefully, with coastal communities, small boat fisheries and the environment at the forefront of proposals..

From the outset, before a marine licence is applied for, it is crucial that developers seek Social License to Operate.

We strongly suggest that emerging mariculture and coastal development companies call on the mix of skills, expertise, generosity and commitment to the conservation of marine habitats available within coastal communities, to boost their licence applications and to give their businesses the strongest start.

“We have the choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place–or not to bother.” Jane Goodall

Please see WWF and SAMS 'Social License for UK Seaweed Farming' HERE,

Save Our Bays

Save Our Bays

The Port Isaac Bay seaweed farm licence has been suspended!

MMO suspend Penmayne's licence until Feb 2027

Penmayne Ltd Suspension Notice: Click 'Next' below the repo

Port Quin Decision Report. Click 'Next' below the report:

The Port Quin campaign against large-scale seaweed farm applications has been successful

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER HERE!

Some of our amazing wildlife neighbours...

We need your help! If you have time to volunteer and share your skills, please get in touch.

We need your help! If you have time to volunteer and share your skills, please get in touch.

We need your help! If you have time to volunteer and share your skills, please get in touch.

We need your help! If you have time to volunteer and share your skills, please get in touch.

We need your help! If you have time to volunteer and share your skills, please get in touch.

We need your help! If you have time to volunteer and share your skills, please get in touch.

Contact Us

Save Our Bays Community Interest Company

EMAIL

Save Our Bays

Save Our Bays

The Port Isaac Bay seaweed farm licence has been suspended!

MMO suspend Penmayne's licence until Feb 2027

Penmayne Ltd Suspension Notice: Click 'Next' below the repo

Port Quin Decision Report. Click 'Next' below the report:

The Port Quin campaign against large-scale seaweed farm applications has been successful

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER HERE!

Subscribe

Some of our amazing wildlife neighbours...

We need your help! If you have time to volunteer and share your skills, please get in touch.

Contact Us

Save Our Bays Community Interest Company

EMAIL

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