Save Gerrans Bay

18/11/2025

It wouldn't be Christmas without big business Biome Algae taking on another community. This time they're back for a fourth consultation in Port Quin, supporting their local partner in appealing the MMO's legal decision to reject plans for the UK's largest inshore commercial seaweed farm just a couple of hundred meters from the coastline.

Port Quin is already the most objected to commercial seaweed factory in history with overwhelming and near unanimous local opposition. The new consultation process is asking for comments before the 12th December and Save Port Quin (Lundy Bay) would be really grateful if you could go again with your experiences. You can find a wealth of pre-written documents and reminders on Save our Bays (link in the comments).

Port Quin have now spent hundreds of thousands of pounds and hours defending their coastline for future generations from commercial privatisation, please consider giving them your support.

And happy early Christmas.

The previous rejection could not be overturned

01/08/2025

**Save our Spire** update

BBC News are now covering the story of the urgent need to save our iconic spire.

Originally built in the 15th century as a beacon for sailors and fishermen, and last fully repaired in 1636, our famous spire has always been more than just religion, it’s at the heart of the community. For generations, this historic structure has stood tall above our twin villages, watching over all who have passed through Gerrans Bay safely guiding locals and visitors alike safely home.

Today, we need to raise £200,000 to cover essential repairs and address structural damage; but incredibly, over £150,000 has already been secured through grants, gifts, and donations. In just the past three weeks alone, nearly £12,500 has come from people clicking the Givealittle link (shared in the comments) and contributing what they can. We’re fully supporting our closest neighbour, and hope you can too.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99mvgmdn0lo?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwL5hRdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjBsMd1SPNHnyQEDvte4MDkHAwAaRM5pTGr6xWgP3iL7Jb9CxY70s02yNVDO_aem_2Rf18cFhPALLpy_HKwiqDQ

The historic landmark was used as a navigation aid for fisherman for centuries.

18/04/2025

It's fair to say the Marine Management Organisation's rejection of Biome Algae's plans for an inshore 100 hectare commercial seaweed licence for the next fifty years in Port Quin were extensive and overwhelming.

Which begs the question how did it ever get this far, and why is it local communities are the ones left to uncover the facts when a commercial enterprise selects a location that's not suitable, sensible or sustainable.

Well done to you Save Port Quin (Lundy Bay) and Save Our Bays .

22/03/2025

It's time.
Sunday evening at the Plume of feathers.

28/02/2025

This might feel familiar to everyone, but after thousands of hours of work, hundreds of meetings and tens of thousands of pounds spent Save Port Quin (Lundy Bay) have some news they would like to share. Biome Algae have pulled out of their application to build a 100 hectare commercial seaweed farm for next 50 years a few hundred metres from the shoreline. We hope this time Biome delivers on the commitments they made to the Marine Management Organisation - MMO when they pulled out of Gerrans Bay to engage with local communities and stakeholders before they submit another application.

01/11/2024

Save Port Quin (Lundy Bay): An important statement of support.

On 30th October the Port Quin community were given a 624 page document by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), authored by Biome Algae with 28 days to respond.

The document is intended to gain approval for Biome Algae to privatise Port Quin bay for commercial gain for the next fifty years, erecting a 100 hectare seaweed farm less than 500 metres from the beach in an Area Of Outstanding Beauty and a Special Area of Conservation, just 350 metres from a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Marine Conservation Zone. The seaweed farm will be permanently lit and contain thousands of visible buoys.

The proposal follows the same path as the submission Biome Algae made to privatise Gerrans Bay, and before this Start Bay. It forms part of a business plan to privatise a dozen inshore sites on the Cornish coastline for profit.

The application process followed by Biome Algae has ignored the commitments they made to the public, Cherilyn Mackrory (the former MP) and media including BBC Cornwall, Cornwall Live, ITV News West Country, Daily Mail News, Daily Telegraph, The Times and The Sunday Times, CNN News and more - as well as Roseland Environment Action Community Team - REACT and Gerrans Parish Council when they pulled out of Gerrans Bay (commitments to improve reshared below, still including the errors by Biome Algae of both the date - this should read 5th Jan 2024 and the case numbers - they use the Port Quin references and not the Gerrans Bay ones).

Based on their learnings from Gerrans Bay Biome Algae committed as “responsible operators” the need to support, and have the support of the communities within which they operate. They went on to commit to the creation of a feasible project outside of Gerrans Bay “developed with community representatives from an early stage – where we can build positive relationships and demonstrate the wider value and benefits of the seaweed project”.

None of these commitments have happened in Port Quin.

Port Quin has become the front line for local communities to protect their public spaces against corporate encroachment.

We encourage you to help Port Quin and object to this application, joining Cornwall National Landscape (AONB), Cornwall Birds, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust, the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, Padstow Harbour Commission, local fisheries and the local MP – as well as the local Parish Councils of St Endellion, St Minver, Delabole and Tintagel who have all previously objected.

As with Gerrans Bay, the location of Port Quin Bay is neither suitable, sustainable nor sensible for the industrial nature of the plans submitted.

Again, there are two 50 hectare applications, so objections need to go in twice.

You can lodge your comments on the MMO. Use the references MLA/2023/00307 (Camel Fish Ltd) and MLA/2023/00308 (Biome Algae) as the case numbers. The website for the MMO is as follows: https://marinelicensing.marinemanagement.org.uk/mmofox5/fox/live/

It is important to reference the newly published document in your objections. It is available on the MMO portal, or in two parts on the downloads section of saveourbays.org.uk

If you want to speak directly to the Save Port Quin (Lundy Bay) they would love to hear from you on Facebook, every like or message of support you give goes a long way. You can also subscribe to the Save Port Quin newsletter, and contact the team directly through the Save Our Bays website.