PEMBROKESHIRE INITIATIVE LAUNCHES CROWDFUNDER TO EXPAND INDUSTRY

Wales is poised to develop a £105 million regenerative sea farming industry, projected to create over 1,000 jobs while restoring marine and soil biodiversity. A recent high-level discussion, convened by Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Derek Walker, brought together key government and industry stakeholders to explore the challenges and opportunities in this emerging sector.

The talks included representatives from The Crown Estate, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru/Natural Resources Wales, WWF, Pembrokeshire County Council, the Development Bank of Wales, and sustainable packaging manufacturer Notpla. The meeting follows an initial forum in June 2024, attended by the Prince of Wales, which recognised regenerative sea farming as a major opportunity for Wales.

Pioneering change in Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire-based community benefit society Câr-Y-Môr is at the forefront of Wales’ regenerative sea farming movement. During the discussions, the organisation called for a clear and consistent regulatory framework, streamlined licensing, and financial support to help early-stage farms invest in infrastructure and innovation.

“Regenerative sea farming has the potential to strengthen coastal economies, create sustainable jobs, and enhance marine biodiversity,” said Owen Haines, managing director of Câr-Y-Môr. “There is growing evidence that seaweed-based biostimulants can improve soil health, increase crop yields, and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers. This is a real opportunity for Wales’ land farming community as well as its coastal economies.”

A growing community business

Founded in 2019, Câr-Y-Môr is demonstrating how regenerative farming and local fishing can boost the Welsh economy and improve environmental sustainability. The initiative has already:

• Built a 500-strong community, generated a £300,000 turnover, and created 20 year-round jobs.
• Educated over 1,200 children and young people through school visits and workshops.
• Kept 35 tonnes of Welsh seafood in the UK, ensuring local communities benefit from their own resources.
• Partnered with farmers to trial a seaweed-based biostimulant, increasing crop yields by up to 24% and reducing synthetic fertiliser use.
• Supported 12 fishermen and gatherers with fair prices and local market access.
• Hosted over 100 boat trips to showcase the industry’s potential to policymakers and researchers.

Crowdfunding for the future

To sustain its momentum, Câr-Y-Môr has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdfunder UK. In 2025, the organisation plans to lease a disused RNLI station to develop a seaweed and shellfish hatchery, expand seaweed biostimulant trials, and establish new offshore farms.

The public is invited to invest in this community-driven initiative by visiting: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/car-y-mor-share-offer.

Building a sustainable future

As Wales’ first regenerative sea farm, Câr-Y-Môr exemplifies a model where community-owned businesses can create lasting economic, social, and environmental benefits.

“We thank all who attended this meeting for their positive input and sincerely hope this results in tangible progress to benefit Welsh communities, land and sea,” said Haines.

A POLL has revealed 69% of people in Wales believe the law of intestacy should be changed to offer legal protections for unmarried couples without a Will – now public support for change could soon translate into action.

Under current rules, unmarried partners have no automatic right to inherit if their partner dies without a Will, leaving many in financially vulnerable situations.

Now, with the government confirming it will consult on reforming cohabitation laws this year, public support for change could soon translate into action.

A poll by Will-writing scheme Will Aid, which surveyed more than 2,000 people across the UK, showed the majority want intestacy laws to reflect modern relationships.

When asked if the law should be changed so there are legal protections for couples that aren’t married and don’t have a Will, 69% of people in Wales agreed.

Nationally, the figures showed 65% of people agreed the law should be changed. And three-quarters of cohabiting couples surveyed were unaware of what would happen to their assets if they passed away without a Will.

Speaking to the House of Commons Justice Select Committee, Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, the minister in charge of family justice, marriage, and divorce, confirmed recently that a formal consultation will take place this year to “build public consensus on what cohabitation reform should look like.”

This marks a shift from the previous government’s stance, which delayed reform until changes to marriage and divorce laws were completed.

Karishma Dimple Dhaliah-Haulkory, lead solicitor at Portway Solicitors, said: “Many of today’s laws were written in an era with more traditional views on relationships, often centring around marriage and nuclear families. However, modern relationships take many forms, including cohabiting partners, blended families, and same-sex couples.

“Legal recognition should extend beyond conventional definitions to provide equal protections for all individuals, regardless of how they choose to build their families. By adapting laws to reflect the reality of modern relationships, society can create a legal system that is more just, equitable, and responsive to the needs of the people it serves.”

The annual Will Aid campaign sees solicitors across the UK volunteering their time to write Wills throughout November, so it is an ideal time for people who are cohabiting to get their wishes professionally drafted in a legal document, which will help to protect their loved ones in the future.

Peter de Vena Franks, Campaign Director for Will Aid, said: “Our poll shows the majority of people in the UK want intestacy laws to reflect modern relationships. Cohabiting couples are the fastest-growing family type, yet they remain unprotected under the current system. With the government now looking at reform, we hope to see real progress. In the meantime, we urge people to protect their loved ones by making a Will.”

Will Aid is a partnership between the legal profession and seven of the UK’s best-loved charities.

The initiative, which has been running for more than 30 years, sees participating solicitors waive their fee for writing basic Wills every November.

Instead, they invite clients to make an upfront donation to Will Aid – the suggested amounts are £100 for a single basic Will and £180 for a pair of basic ‘mirror’ Wills.

People can sign up to receive an email when the 2025 campaign goes live by visiting www.willaid.org.uk/early-bird.

Donations raised during the campaign are shared by Will Aid’s partner charities, which operate both here in the UK and around the world.

For more information on Will Aid and how to get involved visit www.willaid.org.uk

TWR Y FELIN Hotel is pleased to announce an enlightening art talk titled “Great Ponds in Art: From Dürer to Monet,” presented by esteemed art historian and Ashmolean Museum lecturer, Juliet Heslewood. This event will take place on Wednesday, March 19, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, in support of the Nature Recovery Action Plan for The Havens, with 100% of profits donated to the cause.

Attendees will embark on a visual journey through art history, exploring how artists from Albrecht Dürer to Claude Monet have depicted ponds in their work. Juliet Heslewood will provide insights into the artists’ observations and techniques, offering a fresh perspective on Monet’s iconic water lily paintings.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, 19th March, 2025
• Time: 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm
• Location: Twr y Felin Hotel, Ffordd Caerfai, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, SA62 6QT
• Price: £8 per person (100% of profits go to the Nature Recovery Action Plan for The Havens)

Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available through the Eventbrite website (eventbrite.co.uk)

For more information about this event and other offerings from Twr y Felin Hotel, please visit the hotel’s official website.

Twr y Felin Hotel is Wales’ first contemporary art hotel, offering luxurious accommodation and fine dining in St Davids, Pembrokeshire. Renowned for its outstanding service and stunning coastal location, the hotel is a multi-award-winning destination for travellers seeking tranquillity and sophistication.