You might remember a couple of weeks ago that we reported a positive response by the Council to complaints of the stink from seaweed trapped in Ventnor Haven.
Damieon Phillips, Operations Harbour Master has been in touch today to give us some more detail on the plans for the removal of excess seaweed from the Haven, which takes place this coming Sunday.
He explained to us that over the past few years, since holding the position of Operations Harbour Master, he has often been on the receiving end of public comments about the whiff of rotting seaweed, and has even had to put up with abuse on many occasions.
The Plan
With the smell from the seaweed that has collected in the Haven becoming ever more dominant, Damieon felt it was time to address the situation and has arranged for the probation service to be on site at Ventnor Haven this coming Sunday.
The idea is that the excess seaweed will be cleared by those on community service and a local farmer, who will be there with his tractor and 8 tonne trailer, will be taking the seaweed to use as fertiliser on his land.
We had been led to believe that it was the work of the Coastal Environment Centre who were behind the initiative to invove the probation service to clear the haven, but Damieon explained today that he is responsible for the idea.
How You Can Help
Damieon is hoping that the public will also get involved in the scheme.
Now don’t worry, you’re not being asked to wade through the seaweed in your wellies, you need to simply to turn up with a black bag, which will be filled with seaweed for you to take home, treat and use on your garden as fertiliser.
Along with the bag of seaweed, will be a note on how to treat the seaweed and get the most from it.
If all goes well, Damieon plans to make this a regular event.
Angie from the Ventnor Permaculture Group also has a great article about using seaweed in the garden
Image: Ventnor Haven by Ventlindown
