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About the Conference
History, Culture, and Development
The UK's Seaweed Conference 2026 brings together global experts to foster cooperation across the entire seaweed value chain - from sustainable harvesting to innovative applications in food, biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture.
This year's theme, "History, Culture, and Development" focuses on the historical relationship the sector has with seaweed and the within the wider landscape, as well as the cultural significance and current development of the sector
Corran Halls, Oban
18 - 19 November
Agenda
Wednesday 18th November
​08.30-09.00
Arrival, registration and coffee
09.00-09.30
Welcome Address: Sarah Evans, Seaweed Scotland
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09.30-10.10
Keynote Address: Prannie Rhatigan, Irish Seaweed Kitchen
​​​
10.10-10.55
Session 1: Balcardine Factory: The history of Alginate in Scotland
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10.55-11.25
Coffee Break
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11.25-12.10
Session 2: Wild Harvesting Limits
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12.10-12.40
Session 3: Poster Pitching
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12.40-13.40
Lunch
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13.40-14.40
Session 4: Seaweed in Scottish Culture and History
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​Shona Cameron, CLIMAVORE​
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Miek Zwalborn, Author and artist
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Magdalena Blanz, University of Oxford
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Jayson Byles, East Neuk Seaweed
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14.40-15.10
Session 5: Updates from around the world
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Alaska​​
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Canada
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Ireland
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Norway
15.10-15.40
Coffee Break
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15.40-16.25
Session 6: Fermentation
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​Pierrick Stevant, Norwegian Seaweed Cluster​
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Mehmet Can Sucu, Kybele's Garden
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Lis Vivas, Flex-Bio
16.25-17.10
Session 7: Innovation Competition
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​Short list to be announced soon
17.10-17.25
Closing remarks: Sarah Riddle, SAIC
Thursday 19th November
08.00-09.00
​WISA Networking Breakfast
​​​​​​
09.00-09.05
Welcome and housekeeping: Sophie Wood, UK Seaweed Network
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09.05-09.40
Keynote Address
​
09.40-10.40
Session 8: Heavy Metals
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​Richard Abell, SAMS​
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Peter Elbourne, Independent Consultant
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Sam Patterson, Impact Solutions
10.40-11.10
Coffee Break
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11.10-12.00
Session 9: Biomaterials Scaling
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Mark Dorris, Mercel​​
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Lucy Dain-Williams, TeraMira
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Jessica Adams, University of Aberystwyth
12.00-12.45
Lunch
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12.45-13.45
Session 10: Workshops
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Sign-up details to follow, check back for updates
​​
13.45-14.45
Session 11: Innovations in Seaweed
(Including announcement of competition winner)
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​Adrian MacLeod, Atlantic Mariculture Ltd​
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Ebsen Christiansen, Pure Algae
14.45-15.00
Final Reflections
Please note details subject to change
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Seaweed Innovation Challenge
Pioneering Solutions for the Seaweed Sector
The Seaweed Innovation Challenge invites entrepreneurs, researchers, and startups to present groundbreaking ideas that advance sustainable seaweed utilization and marine ecosystem collaboration.
Up to £17,000 for winning innovation(s)
Can be used as match funding for a larger project
Application deadline: September 16th 2026
Judging panel of innovation experts to decide the winner
Get Started
Book your tickets
REMEMBER: Members need to have paid 26/27 membership
Options for out-of-towners
Everything you need to know
about the event
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Conference Dinner
An Evening of Seafood and Seaweed
Our annual dinner is once again hosted at the Waterfront Fishouse, a local spot renound for its fresh seafood and good quality cuisine.
Waterfront Fishouse, 1 Railway Pier, Oban PA34 4LW
18 November 7 - 11pm
What have people said about our conference?
Conversations flowed from walking through the door and didn't stop till I walked out. Plenty of time for networking and also putting the world to rights in the workshop sessions that I attended.
​The food was lovely and it was great to see seaweed featured in the menu in such a creative way.
​Loved the networking breaks, and thought it was just the right amount of time across the two days to speak to as many people as possible. Obviously the lunches were great too.
There were interesting talks, the schedule gave time to have those important impromptu chats, and there were friendly participants
Really enjoyed the speakers listed - a great mix of academics and industry.