The initiative is based on a collaboration between the City of Gothenburg and the University of Gothenburg. As early as 2022, Flytevi was inaugurated a marine allotment in Frihamnen designed as a future prototype and educational platform for seafood of the future.
“In Frihamnen, the conditions for cultivation are far from optimal. Now we want to test a marine allotment in Uttervik on Styrsö, where the conditions for cultivation are significantly better,” says Maria Bodin, Project Coordinator at the Centre for Sea and Society, University of Gothenburg.
Urban cultivation – also in water
The city provides the cultivation platform itself, while residents manage the farming through a growers’ association.
“The City of Gothenburg has a long tradition of offering allotments to its residents. The initiative for marine allotments is driven both by growing interest and by the ambition to support sustainable and innovative alternatives for what we can eat in the future. In addition, we own coastal land, which gives us the opportunity to expand this initiative over time,” says Martin Bae Pedersen, Development Manager for Urban Cultivation at the City of Gothenburg.
Cultivating in the sea differs from farming on land. There is no need for irrigation or fertilization, as nutrients are naturally present in the water. At the same time, it requires new ways of working. The marine allotment on Styrsö is a further development of the city’s work with land-based cultivation, such as community gardens and allotments.
“We already have methods for working with growers’ associations on land, and we hope to apply these here as well. In water, less effort is required from us, since seaweed and mussels obtain nutrients directly from their surroundings. Going forward, we see Gothenburg’s urban cultivation also including what can be grown in the sea,” says Martin Bae Pedersen.
Association to run the cultivation
The cultivation on Styrsö is planned as a community-run initiative where participants will have the opportunity both to grow and to learn more about marine resources. The permits are in place, and the goal is for operations to begin during the year. The next step is to form a growers’ association.
“This is a similar process to when we start a growers’ association on land. First, we make the site available, then we invite people to an information meeting where interested participants can sign up,” says Martin Bae Pedersen.
On 22 April, the City of Gothenburg and the University of Gothenburg will host an information meeting at Café Båtebacken on Styrsö. The plans will be presented in more detail, and participants can register their interest in joining the association.
“Everyone who is interested is welcome to attend the information meeting,” says Martin Bae Pedersen.
Text: Karl-Johan Nylén
