FOI Request - Removal of Seaweed
Request 101003911915
1. Any information and policies regarding the removal of decaying seaweed that has deposited in front of coastal communities and residential properties in Moray, due to high tides and storms.
Response 06-02-2026
1. Seaweed Accumulation at Portgordon – Council Update - Each year, seaweed naturally washes ashore at the coastal revetment in Portgordon. We understand that some residents find this unsightly, and requests are often made for the Council to clear it.
Why seaweed collects here - Seaweed washing up on the shore is a natural coastal process. The area where it gathers forms part of the coastal defence system, helping protect nearby homes from wave action and erosion.
Who is responsible for the foreshore? - The foreshore at Portgordon is not owned by Moray Council. It is part of the Crown Estate, who are responsible for managing this land.
Why the Council is no longer clearing seaweed - For many years, the Council has removed seaweed at Portgordon on a voluntary basis, even though we have no legal duty to do so and do not own the land.
However:
- The cost of removing seaweed has increased to nearly £10,000 per clearance.
- The Council’s budget for coastal work is limited and must prioritise statutory flood‑risk management duties.
- Portgordon is the only location where the Council has routinely carried out seaweed clearance.
To ensure that public funds are used responsibly, the Council will no longer carry out routine seaweed removal at this location.
What happens now -
- Future concerns about seaweed on the foreshore will be directed to the Crown Estate, as the landowner.
- Local elected members and previous correspondents have been advised of the change.
- The Council will continue to monitor the area from a flood‑risk and coastal protection perspective.
We appreciate that seaweed can be an inconvenience, but it remains a natural, seasonal part of coastal life. The Council’s priority is to focus resources on essential services and statutory responsibilities, including protecting communities from flooding and coastal erosion.