Results from the 2020 National Seaweed Hub Needs Assessment are published in the latest issue of the Journal of Aquaculture:
Kelp Business Guide Materials Available
Business Planning for Kelp Farming, a 75-page guide and resource listing for new and prospective kelp farmers, is now available. A supplemental Excel spreadsheet and printable pdf, Integrated Financial Planning Model for Kelp Aquaculture, are also available for download.
Created in response to a critical missing tool identified by the National Seaweed Hub Needs Assessment of 2020, it was written by Tammy Warner, professor of management at Keene State University, and Robert Pomeroy, extension specialist emeritus at CT Sea Grant, under the direction of Anoushka Concepcion, CTSG associate extension educator who focuses on seaweed aquaculture.
The guidebook is linked to a flexible financial model (worksheet) which will allow users to see dollars-and-cents impacts of their plans as they evolve. All resources are available on our resources page.
The project was funded by the National Sea Grant Program.
Paper on Deep-ocean Sinking of Seaweed for Carbon Sequestration
The following Commentary Paper entitled “Deep-ocean seaweed dumping for carbon sequestration: Questionable, risky, and not the best use of valuable biomass”, written by members of the UN Global Compact Global Seaweed Coalition’s Scientific Council, provides the current state of knowledge on sinking seaweed for carbon sequestration.
The authors argue that deep-ocean seaweed dumping is not a biological, environmental, economic, societal or ethical answer to climate-change mitigation via carbon “sequestration”. It is presently not based on sound science.
State of the States Presentation – 2024 Update
An overview of the seaweed aquaculture industry in the United States. Initially presented at the 2019 Seaweed Symposium held in Providence, Rhode Island, this resource is updated annually.
Benefits of seaweed aquaculture to working waterfronts
National Seaweed Hub Advisory Board member, Dr. Brianna Shaughnessy (NOAA), discusses the versatility of seaweed and the contributions of seaweed farming to working waterfronts.
Online Seaweed Drying Workshop
Alaska Sea Grant is hosting an online workshop on seaweed drying on July 28th. The event is free, more details are available on their website.
Seaweed Hub Report for Seaweed Parameter Testing Resources
The following guide was developed by the National Seaweed Hub’s Post-harvest and Processing Infrastructure work group to provide seaweed producers with a better understanding of specific seaweed parameters which can impact potential end-uses.
Seaweed Marketing Toolkit
We at the Seaweed Hub know that marketing can be a barrier to success for many seaweed businesses. As a rapidly growing industry, seaweed presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to create sustainable, innovative products that are in high demand. We’re here to help with tips and tools for your marketing strategy including social media posts and language that’s ready to go!
Tempered optimism for industry is message of National Seaweed Symposium
2023 Symposium
2023 National Seaweed Symposium
Save the Date: April 24-27; Portland, Maine
The National Seaweed Symposium is a three-day conference, bringing together key industry, regulatory, academic, and professional leaders and contributors to the US seaweed sector, hosted by the National Sea Grant Network’s Seaweed Hub.
Featuring: Targeted Presentations, Unique Field Trips, Engaging Networking Sessions, Industry Showcase, Emerging Research, Submitted Lightning Talks
For questions about the National Seaweed Symposium, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact Maine Sea Grant Extension, Jaclyn Robidoux.