Seaweed washed onto Ryde Hoverport is being given a second life helping to grow fruit and vegetables on the Isle of Wight, as Hovertravel makes the natural resource available to community organisations for a second year.
The Stonelands Project, based at Niton Undercliff, has once again been collecting seaweed cleared from the hoverport to use as a natural mulch and soil improver.
Seaweed is periodically deposited on the Ryde Hoverport pad by tides, currents, wind and wave action.
Hovertravel’s terminal team regularly clears it from passenger walkways and operational areas to maintain a clean and comfortable environment for customers.
Instead of simply disposing of the material, the cross-Solent operator is making it available for suitable local uses.
The Stonelands Project supports young people who may have become disengaged or are facing challenges through a combination of agricultural work, mentoring, practical experience and community involvement.
The project grows fruit and vegetables at Niton Undercliff, with the seaweed being used within its growing areas.
Brendan Beattie, Head of Operations at Hovertravel, has said:
“We are delighted that The Stonelands Project is collecting seaweed from Ryde Hoverport again this year. It is a great example of how something that naturally arrives at our site can be put to good use within the local community rather than simply being treated as waste.
“Our team regularly clears seaweed from the passenger areas, and we are very happy to see it being collected and used by a local organisation.
“If there are other community, agricultural or environmental projects on the Isle of Wight that would also like to collect seaweed from us, please get in touch with us and we would be happy to discuss what may be possible.”
Josh Osborn, from The Stonelands Project, has said:
“We are really grateful to Hovertravel for making the seaweed available to us again this year. It has become a really useful natural resource for the project and we are looking forward to putting it to work in our growing areas.
“Seaweed is packed with nutrients and trace elements and makes an excellent natural mulch for our plants and soil. It is also a great practical activity for the young people involved with Stonelands, who can see first-hand how something that has come from the sea can be returned to the land to help produce food.
“We really appreciate how helpful the Hovertravel team has been and are delighted to be continuing this relationship for another year.”
Hovertravel says the initiative forms part of its wider commitment to supporting the Isle of Wight community and finding practical ways to improve environmental sustainability through its day-to-day operations.
