Hovertravel makes seaweed available to local community for second year

Natural seaweed collected from Ryde Hoverport is once again being made available to local community organisations, with The Stonelands Project returning for a second year to collect the valuable natural resource.

Hovertravel is continuing its initiative to make seaweed collected from its Ryde Hoverport available to local organisations, helping to ensure that this naturally occurring material is put to practical use within the Isle of Wight community.

The Stonelands Project, based at Niton Undercliff, is collecting seaweed from the hoverport for the second consecutive year. The project uses it as a natural mulch and soil improver as part of its work growing fruit and vegetables.

Seaweed is periodically deposited onto the Ryde Hoverport pad by tides, currents, wind and wave action. Hovertravel’s terminal team regularly removes it from passenger walkways and operational areas to maintain a clean and comfortable environment for customers.

Rather than simply disposing of the material, Hovertravel continues to make the seaweed available for suitable local uses.

Brendan Beattie, Head of Operations  at Hovertravel, 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.”

The Stonelands Project supports young people who may have become disengaged or are facing challenges, combining agricultural work, mentoring, practical experience and community involvement. Based in Niton Undercliff, the project grows fruit and vegetables and provides opportunities designed to develop confidence, purpose and practical skills.

Josh Osborn from The Stonelands Project 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.”

The initiative forms part of Hovertravel’s wider commitment to working positively with the Isle of Wight community and finding practical ways to support environmental sustainability through its day-to-day operations.