SeaGrown’s Seaweed and Shellfish Farming Supports Environment and Jobs

By the Editorial Team · Monday, August 31, 2026

SeaGrown has launched the SeaSwell project to cultivate seaweed and shellfish on a 25-hectare underwater farm off Scarborough, creating jobs and promoting marine biodiversity. Supported by regional funding and leadership, this initiative advances local carbon reduction goals and contributes to the broader vision of making York and North Yorkshire England’s first carbon-negative region by 2040.

SeaGrown, a marine farming company, has expanded its operations with a new initiative to cultivate seaweed and shellfish in the North Sea, aiming to boost local employment and contribute to environmental sustainability. The company’s SeaSwell project involves processing seaweed harvested from its 25-hectare underwater farm located approximately four miles off the coast of Scarborough.

This venture uses Kelpedo units, innovative structures designed to support the simultaneous cultivation of kelp and shellfish. The project not only fosters biodiversity and helps clean ocean waters but also contributes to carbon reduction efforts. SeaGrown’s approach has drawn support from regional leaders, including David Skaith, the Labour Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, who recently visited the site aboard SeaGrown’s workboat, Bright Blue, to observe operations first-hand.

The SeaSwell project, backed financially by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, has allowed SeaGrown to expand its workforce, including the recruitment of trainee marine crew members and scientists. The initiative fits within a broader regional strategy to promote sustainable industries that support both environmental goals and economic growth.

Mayor Skaith emphasized the region’s potential for leadership in climate action, noting that York and North Yorkshire have the natural resources, expertise, and ambition to become England’s first carbon-negative region by 2040. He highlighted the role of the authority’s £6.8 million Carbon Negative Challenge Fund, which invests in pioneering projects that contribute to decarbonisation while fostering local business development.

The SeaSwell project represents one of several efforts supported by the fund designed to reduce carbon emissions in the area, boost green industries, and protect the marine ecosystem. By combining marine agriculture with environmental stewardship, SeaGrown is advancing innovative solutions aimed at enhancing both economic opportunity and ecological health along the North Sea coastline.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.