SeaGrown, Yorkshire Water, and The Crown Estate: The Cleaner Seas Part

SeaGrown, Yorkshire Water, and The Crown Estate: The Cleaner Seas Partnership

A pioneering trial in Scarborough North Bay investigating the use of nature-based solutions to improve bathing water quality

Innovation in Action

Scarborough North Bay is a vital space for the locals and tourists who love the opportunity to use it. With the recent focus on bathing water quality, there is a growing interest in finding out how we use nature-based solutions to improve our environment. In this case, the partnership is testing the potential of seaweed and mussels to improve water quality. Using SeaGrown's expertise in growing seaweed and shellfish offshore, this partnership is testing exactly how these natural organisms can help clean our seas.

A New Collaboration for Cleaner Seas

Watch how we are deploying proven offshore technology to gather real-world data here in North Bay

How It Works

The Bio-Filters

Seaweed and shellfish are nature’s ocean cleaning system. Shellfish remove harmful bacteria, while seaweed absorbs excess nutrients from the water and releases oxygen, creating thriving habitats for marine life.

The Technology

Using the Kelpedo™ Marine Recovery System developed here in Scarborough, we will be growing seaweed and shellfish in the North Bay to test and measure their potential.

The Goal

The data gathered from this trial will help shape the future of nature-based solutions for improving bathing water quality around the UK coastline.

Interconnected Systems

Nature operates through interconnected systems. By growing native seaweed and shellfish together in Scarborough's North Bay, this scientific trial measures exactly how these parallel biological processes clear the water column, drive nutrient uptake, and support local marine life.

The project is a temporary scientific trial taking place in Scarborough’s North Bay. It is a partnership between SeaGrown, Yorkshire Water and The Crown Estate designed to measure the potential of seaweed and shellfish to improve coastal water quality.
The primary goal is data collection. We are deploying seaweed and mussels to measure their ability to absorb excess nutrients (such as nitrates and phosphates) and remove bacteria from the water. The project will quantify exactly how effective these natural organisms are at acting as "bio-filters" for our coastline.
The project is already well underway, with active monitoring of nutrient and bacterial distributions taking place over the last six months. With the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) licencing process in progress, installation is scheduled to begin in Summer 2026.
We will be installing 16 Kelpedo™ Marine Recovery System units to grow seaweed and shellfish, specifically mussels, for environmental monitoring and ecosystem services.
The 16-hectare trial site is located in North Bay. The specific location was strategically chosen to sit downstream of the Scalby longsea outfall to maximise potential impact, while carefully avoiding conflict with other water users. A map of the zone is available on this page.

The project team has conducted an extensive assessment of the area to minimise impact on other marine users, including consultations with the local IFCA (Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority) and the NFFO (National Federation of Fisheries Organisation). The site will be fully licensed and clearly marked in accordance with all maritime safety standards. Not only will there be minimal direct impact on other marine users, but cleaner water will benefit everyone.
Improving coastal water quality is a shared challenge affecting everyone who lives and works on the coast. SeaGrown provides the offshore technology and growing expertise. Yorkshire Water and The Crown Estate are co-funding the project, with Yorkshire Water supporting the work as part of a wider ambition to improve coastal water quality. The Crown Estate provides the essential lease and strategic backing, managing the seabed to support cleaner bathing waters, healthier seas, thriving communities, and sustainable coastal economies.
This project is a scientific trial designed to generate the specific data that will let us optimise our environmental impact. We are gathering the empirical evidence required to inform future regional projects using seaweed and shellfish to improve bathing water quality across the UK.
The primary function of the seaweed and shellfish in this trial is to help us measure their potential to improve bathing water quality in the North Bay. The science team will conduct regular monitoring of bacterial removal, nutrient uptake, and biodiversity uplift. During the season, samples will be taken for scientific analysis, and routine inspections will be made to the equipment while in service.

North Bay Cleaner Seas Survey

1. How important is it to you that North Bay is cleaner and healthier? Very important Important Neutral Not important 2. To what extent do you support using nature-based approaches, such as shellfish and seaweed, to improve water quality and marine life in North Bay? Strongly agree – I fully support the project Agree – I support the project and think it will be beneficial overall Somewhat agree – I broadly support the project but have some reservations Do not agree – I do not support the project in its current form. Any additional comments or reservations?

Thank you for having your say.

Your feedback on the North Bay cleaner seas partnership has been received. We’re collating all responses to help shape the next phase of the project.

— The SeaGrown Team

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