Cherilyn Mackrory, Member of Parliament for Truro and Falmouth, has welcomed the news today (Friday 5 January) from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) that two licensing applications to create a huge seaweed farm in Gerrans Bay have been withdrawn following a successful community campaign.
The plans, if permitted would have seen a seaweed farm involving suspending lines 65ft (20m) apart, held in place by surface floats and anchored to the seabed, massively limited the use of the sea across a 270 acre (or 153 football pitches) site.
Cherilyn said:
“It was clear from the sheer numbers of people who contacted me about this controversial scheme that there were tremendous issues with it.”
“If approved, it would have proved disastrous, both for our fishermen, who are heavily reliant on inshore waters for their livelihoods, but also for leisure and community use, with the iconic Portscatho Regatta event, for example, taking place on these waters. It was also essentially a large industrial feature in what is currently a beautiful and unspoilt piece of coastline and marine environment that enjoys Area of Outstanding Natural beauty status under planning rules.”
“A few months ago I facilitated a meeting between fishermen on the Roseland and the applicants so that assurances could be made, one of which was for an Environmental Impact Assessment, which did not materialise.”
“As the Member of Parliament for Truro & Falmouth I have a duty to represent our friends, family and neighbours who are concerned about the future of fishing if this seaweed farm had gone ahead.”
“Last week, I attended the Gerrans Parish Council meeting and wrote to the MMO to ask for an extension to the public consultation on this application. Subsequently it was announced that the consultation on the seaweed farm was extended due to concerns over the timings of the public notices for the application, giving us more time to make sure that local people are heard.”
“Then on Friday, I was delighted to hear from the MMO that both applications had been withdrawn. This was ultimately a successful campaign by local people, who came together as a community across a variety of platforms, to ensure their voices were heard and that the full impact of these proposals on the surrounding area was known.”
“I was pleased to play my part in highlighting issues around the process to the MMO, and must say a huge well done to everyone involved in the campaign - a great example of what happens when a community pulls together and pushes for the outcome they all want to see.”