Seaweed is abundant in England, although it should only be hand-harvested by sustainable experts who ‘give seaweed a haircut’, not removing the roots.
Keep dogs away from seaweed (they like to play with the fronds, but they can expand in the stomach as they dry). Seaweed can also be slippery at the beach. Read our post on keeping dogs safe at the seaside.
Seaweed does much good to the oceans, and if sustainably harvested, can also benefit humans in food, supplements, beauty and even beer!
England has over 600 species of seaweed. The most common type is bladderwrack (which looks a bit like dark green ‘bubble wrap’ with air bubbles.
Over 20 species are edible, though others are used in beauty care, or dehydrated to make culinary seaweed salt. Some seaweed is used to make agar-agar, a gelling agent for desserts, to replace gelatine (made from animal bones).
But of course seaweed mostly exists for ocean wildlife. Fish often live in kelp forests, which also help to prevent coastal erosion.
Improves Ocean Health
Sustainable seaweed farming is increasingly being used as an alternative to fishing, giving people who previously caught fish a new profession, using similar skills for more profit.
Seaweed is a ‘sustainable crop’ that absorbs excess carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, helping to balance ocean chemistry. It also offers a safe home for fish and small sea creatures, so leaving most of it in the ocean, keeps these habitats healthy and diverse.
Fights Climate Change
Seaweed grows quickly, and locks away carbon from the air and water. This process helps cut greenhouse gases, which in turns helps to prevent climate change.
Unlike forests (which are sometimes cleared to make paper), seaweed can be sustainably harvested without removing the whole plant. So it grows back year after year.
Needs No Fresh Water or Fertiliser
Unlike most crops, seaweed thrives in seawater, and on sunlight. There is no need to use precious fresh water (unlike say the livestock industry), nor fertilisers or pesticides.
This helps to save not just natural resources, but avoids the pollution that often happens with land-based farming.
Supports Coastal Communities
As mentioned above, some companies are training fishermen to sustainably-harvest seaweed. We live in a world of over-fishing and ghost fishing waste. So it pays that as people eat less fish, to find alternative incomes for former fishing crews.
And unlike huge trawlers, local seaweed farmers are run on a small-scale, helping to keep money in local economies, and doing no harm to the planet or oceans.
Supercharges Nutrition
Seaweed is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It’s particularly rich in iodine, calcium, iron and B vitamins. So as well as being healthy to eat, it’s often used in supplements.
Ask your GP before consuming seaweed (as food or supplements) if you have iodine or thyroid issues. Also check if you are on blood thinners or have a shellfish allergy. Keep supplements away from children and pets.
Irish Sea Moss (use code ENGNF15 for 15% off first purchase) is an edible seaweed that’s packed with nutrients and amino acids. This is sold in a glass jar then you just order plastic-free refill pouches after that.
Improves Soil Health
Once seaweed has been sustainably-harvested, the leftovers do not go to waste. It can be turned into natural fertiliser that improves water retention and adds nutrients to soil, which in turn helps to prevent disease in plants.
Read our post on pet-friendly gardens. If growing indoor plants, avoid facing foliage to outdoor gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
The Shropshire Seaweed Company makes a good organic seaweed fertiliser. Just fill the cap (10ml) with product, then add to a full 5 litre (1 gallon) watering can.
The Cornish Seaweed Company’s Biostimulant uses the Japanese Bokashi method to include beneficial microbes for fermenting, to improve plant and soil health, for bigger crops. Again for outdoor use only (veg patches, lawns and outdoor pots), add 50ml per 10 litres of water (apply weekly, more often on poor soil).
Protects Against Overfishing
As mentioned above, switching fishing crews over to sustainable seaweed harvesting, helps to take the pressure off over-fished species (like cod, which is now an endangered species).
Over-fishing also creates by-catch (where other creatures like seals, dolphins, whales, shark, sea turtles and sea birds are caught in fishing nets, then thrown back to sea, sometimes after suffering injuries that will prove fatal).
Reduces Plastic Waste
We all know that we must reduce single-use plastic. And the good news is that biodegradable seaweed can (like hemp) be used to make lots of items, that would otherwise be made from plastic.
Some items that can be made from seaweed include:
- Notpla Food Containers are made from seaweed. Sturdy enough for oily or fried foods, the takeaway containers are plastic-free and can be composted, at end of use.
- Sway creates compostable alternatives to plastic, made from seaweed. From ‘window’ packaging to polybags and ‘film’ that can be used to make alternatives to clingfilm, bubble wrap and grocery bags.
- Kelsun is a seaweed fabric that unlike polyester or nylon, does not leach microplastics from the washing machine, when laundered. It is also naturally flame-resistant and has the ability to self-extinguish, with no melt or drip.
Sustainably-Harvested Seaweed Seasonings
Seagrown Seaweed Seasoning is made from Yorkshire-sourced sustainable seaweed, sold in easy-to-recycle packaging. Stir into warming soups and stews, toss with roast potatoes or mix into homemade dips and sauces.
The Cornish Seaweed Company offers a nice range of cooking seasonings including kelp, dulse and sea salad. This company has a license to harvest seaweed without significantly affecting the ecosystem.
They harvest by hand (always above the point of growth) and do not disturb wildlife. And rotate harvesting areas, to allow ample time for recovery. And leave harvested areas for several years, before harvesting again.
A Yorkshire Vegan Beer (made from seaweed!)
SeaGrown Seaweed Beer uses hand-harvested seaweed from Yorkshire’s coast with notes of caramel, toasted bread, herbs and lemon, combined with local kelp. Harvesting seaweed offshore helps reduce agricultural runoff and algae bloom, which harms marine wildlife.
Seaweed Skin Care from Isles of Scilly
Phoenix & Providence Face Mask uses hand-harvested seaweed on the Isles of Scilly for a cleansing skin treat to draw out toxins using kaolin clay and seaweed (the high mineral content makes it wonderful for skin, and salt water is a natural detox to absorb oil).
Contains oils of lavender and rosemary. The powder is activated with a little water, and sold in a glass jar.
Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and affected medical conditions.
