10 Seaweed Facts for Seaweed Day
It’s National Seaweed Day! So in celebration, we thought we’d point you in the direction of 10 fascinating facts about seaweed…
1. Seaweed has a Royal supporter
There is a certain member of the Royal family who has been particularly vocal about his love of seaweed; His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales! Pembrokeshire Beach Foods is part of the Câr-y-Môr family, who were delighted to welcome Prince William, alongside HRH The Princess of Wales, to their sea farm in 2023:
2. Seaweed can be farmed and harvested
Regenerative seaweed farms can provide a sustainable and healthy food source, and a range of seaweed derived products, including food, animal feed, pharmaceuticals and biostimulants. It’s an example of zero input farming, providing habitats for marine life alongside.
Câr-y-Môr harvests sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima), oarweed (Laminaria digitata), furbelows (Saccorhiza polyschides).
3. Seaweed is good for biodiversity
Câr-y-Môr uses Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) – growing seaweed and shellfish together in a way that mimics nature. The results seen in the biodiversity around the sea farms are astonishing.
Kelp forests support fish nurseries, crustaceans, and seabirds. And Câr-y-Môr has seen more than 21 species in its sea farms – proving that nature is responding, quickly and positively.
Seaweed also absorbs carbon and nitrogen, while mussels and oysters filter water; together helping to restore balance to coastal ecosystems.
4. Seaweed is super-fast growing
Did you know that seaweed can grow up to half a metre a day? And that’s without needing land, freshwater, or fertiliser.
It’s thought that over 50% of Welsh marine territory is suitable for cultivation; meaning the seaweed opportunity in Wales is enormous!
5. Seaweed is good for soil
For generations coastal farmers would use seaweed to replenish the quality of their soil. Câr-y-Môr is now producing seaweed-based biostimulants, which in early trials have been shown to increase silage yield by up to 25%. This offers farmers a natural, local alternative to synthetic fertilisers and a way to reverse soil degradation.
With seaweed proven to improve uptake of nutrients; protect against abiotic stress; increase plant defence and immune response; improve seed germination; and generally improve soil health, the potential for seaweed and soil is not limited to farmers, but to all gardeners and growers.
BUY SEAWEED BIOSTIMULANT FOR YOUR PLANTS
6. Seaweed (could) be big business in Wales
With the right support and investment, it’s estimated that the seaweed industry here in Wales could be worth £105m and create 1,000 jobs across rural and coastal Wales.
That’s why Câr-y-Môr is seeking investors to help it grow and scale, in a bid to ensure the future of the seaweed economy in Wales and support coastal communities.
7. Seaweed is good for you
It’s not only tasty, seaweed is also nutritious. Classed as a superfood, it has more than 60 different minerals to support a healthy diet.
But don’t just take our word for it; have a read of this article on whether we should all be eating more seaweed in our diets (and the answer is, yes, we absolutely should!).
8. Seaweed is a versatile ingredient
Pesto, butter, “caviar”, chilli sauce, kelpchup... there are so many ways you can add some seaweed into your diet.
Why not add it to a stir-fry for some added nutrition? Or as a rub for barbecued meats and fish? Be inspired by all the delicious seaweed recipes and products at Pembrokeshire Beach Foods.
BUY SEAWEED CONDIMENTS AND INGREDIENTS
9. Seaweed can be used to make “plastic”
Plastic alternatives can be made using seaweed, providing a sustainable alternative with a low impact on the planet.
Câr-y-Môr is working with innovative businesses like Notpla and Plantsea to demonstrate the far-reaching potential of Welsh seaweed.
10. Seaweed has long been associated with Wales
In Wales there is a long tradition of harvesting wild seaweed, which has gone into foods such as laverbread and been used on the land as a fertiliser. The first written note on laver being eaten is thought to be in the writings of Gerald of Wales from the 12th century.
Even the sushi industry as we know it can be traced back to the coast of North Wales and the work of a passionate female scientist. Want to know more? Then The Little Book of Laver is a great place to start.
If we’ve converted you into a seaweed advocate, why not join us as a Câr-y-Môr member; taste the ocean’s harvest with our collection of products; and share and/or invest in our CrowdFunder to support us in scaling regenerative sea farming in Wales.
