Wild sea kelp dredging banned after campaign

Petitioners against wild kelp dredging are “delighted” after a Holyrood committee yesterday voted to ban the practice.

More than 14,000 people signed the petition started by Ullapool oyster farmer Ailsa Mclellan after the first application in Scotland for industrial scale dredging for the seaweed.

The proposal by Ayrbased firm Marine Biopolymers involved a reported 30,000 tonnes of the seaweed gathered each year off the west coast by specially adapted boats. Campaigners warned this dredging could damage kelp beds and fish stocks.