Code of Good Practice
Welcome to the Code of Good Practice (CoGP) for Seaweed Operations in Scotland.
Wild harvesting of seaweed has a long history in Scotland and continues to play an important role in coastal economies and cultural traditions. In recent years, cultivation has become an important addition to this established sector, contributing to Scotland’s blue economy. The sector supports coastal livelihoods, strengthens local supply chains, and contributes to sustainable food, fertiliser, materials, feed, and other emerging industries.
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This Code of Good Practice sets out the shared standards the sector works to. It reflects how operators look after the places they work, the people they employ, and the quality of the products they supply.
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Developed by industry, for industry, the Code brings together practical guidance for nurseries, farms, wild harvesters, and processors. It is designed to be usable, applicable, and based on real-world practice.
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All SSIA members commit to the principles of this Code. It is reviewed regularly and can be independently verified where required by buyers or regulators.
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Explore the Code chapters below.
CoGP Chapters
Code Introduction
This document gives an overview of the code and its guiding principles, as well as contextual notes, including abbreviations and a glossary of terms.
Chapter 1: Nursery Sites
This chapter covers the managemene of seaweed nursery operations.
Chapter 2: On The Farm
This chapter covers the production of seaweed on marine farms.
Chapter 3: Wild Havesting
This chapter covers the operation of commercial wild seaweed harvesting.
Chapter 4: Processing
This chapter includes provisions specific to primary processing facilities.
Annexes
These provide reference material relevant to aspects of the code and are referred to within the text.