In June, 2021, I participated in a climate sprint – three weeks of research concluding with a brief – to explore methods of increasing seaweed cultivation for climate purposes. With a small but mighty group of marine permaculture enthusiasts, I focused on the subject of policy; specifically, what laws, schemes and the like impact the proliferation of seaweed farms.

Researching this area included discussions with generous folks at Sea Grant, Ocean Visions, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, and more. My findings:

• Everywhere outside of Southeast Asia, seaweed cultivation is a new thing and the laws reflect an underdeveloped industry with a dearth of permitting standards. From a regulatory standpoint, seaweed farming today (in the USA – where I am based and where my research was centered) is where shellfish farming was a couple of decades ago: in its infancy.
• Scientific research and stakeholder engagement is crucial for policy development. That is, policy that:
  • Guides and bolsters industry growth.
  • Helps avoid unforeseen ecological and societal consequences. Ie. disease outbreaks, introduction of non-indigenous pests and pathogens, detrimental site selection.
• The aforementioned research is happening (albeit not wicked fast) led primarily by governments and research institutions – ie. ARPA-E’s MARINER (Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources) program – but more is needed and it’s going to take time.
• In some U.S. states, getting seaweed farms approved (in coastal waters) is easier and less costly than in others. Each state has its respective policies reflecting coastal protection, fishing, marine recreation, waterway usage, etc. Rules governing the establishment of seaweed farms need to align with these incumbent policies.
  • Here is a terrific overview of coastal U.S. state’s regulations in regards to seaweed cultivation, prepared by Sea Grant: State of the States – Status of US Seaweed Aquaculture
• There appear to be a lack of policies that derisk the industry: Ie. government-led insurance programs for seaweed farmers. This may forestal long-term investment in the industry and capacity building.
• Offshore/open ocean/high seas seaweed cultivation is unique, due to the nature of operating in international waters. However, this is an important matter to explore; the open ocean is where large-scale cultivation – the type that draws serious levels (ie. gigaton+) of CO2 out of the atmosphere – could take place.
  • There are currently no international or U.S. federal laws specifically governing the use of the oceans for seaweed cultivation for carbon removal.
  • At the international level, the most applicable instruments are the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (“London Convention”), and the Protocol to that Convention (“London Protocol”).

<aside> 💡 UNU Seaweed Aquaculture Policy, published by United Nations University, expands on some of the above-mentioned points and provides a sound list of policy recommendations.

This report from Data For Progress – Seafood, Blue Jobs & The Green New Deal – provides a compelling analysis, complete with policy recommendations, of the substantial economic and ecosystem benefits of ocean restoration and regenerative ocean farming.

Sea Grant’s Seaweed Hub is a science-based, non-advocate resource for the domestic seaweed and seaweed aquaculture industry. It’s a good place to learn more: https://seaweedhub.org/

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Learning By Doing

After a month spent researching seaweed, I could help but want to grow the stuff; to turn some theoretical knowledge into practical knowledge. I am all for learning by doing and this was something that I could, at the very least, try. Successfully growing seaweed would be awesome, but just experiencing the process, the hurdles, and even a dead-end, would be an insightful education. My motivation was fueled further by convenience; I was oceanside, in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with access to a boat.

I sent a “How do I start?” email to my MA-based contact at Sea Grant, Josh Reitsma, and imagined my sea farm with sharks in the pasture.

⏮ My Intro to Seaweed

⏭ How It's Done / Growline Method

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