National Seaweed Nursery Directory

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The purpose of this directory is to identify available sources of seaweed seed for cultivation in the United States. The directory includes facility contact information, available species and other factors related to seaweed seed sources. Updated annually, this directory will serve as a valuable resource to current and prospective farmers, regulatory authorities, and researchers across the country.

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2020 Symposium

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1st National Seaweed Symposium

The first national Seaweed Symposium sponsored by 10 NOAA Sea Grant programs, brought together 120 seaweed stakeholders representing current and prospective farmers, regulators, federal agencies, processors, researchers, culinary professionals and non-profit groups from across the country. The group gathered to share information and better understand the current status, emerging needs and challenges, and realistic opportunities of the nascent domestic seaweed industry. Attendees were updated on the status of seaweed farming across the country and internationally, were provided with results of the national needs assessment, learned about seaweed products and the latest research during the Seaweed Showcase, and learned about farming techniques and challenges during the Farmers’ Forum. Symposium attendees then separated into the following diverse-sector topical Work Groups to collaboratively address common challenges identified in the needs assessment: Market Opportunities, Regulations, Post-harvest and Processing Infrastructure, and Production Systems. For a summary of the discussions, please refer to the Work Group section of the website.

For highlights from the National Seaweed Symposium, please read the following Connecticut Sea Grant article.

Photos from the Event

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Comments from Symposium attendees:

“I made fantastic connections during the Seaweed Symposium. Sea Grant really needs to have another one! ”

“We met a few farmers at the Symposium. Now we are working together to find ways to marketing our kelp together”

“I learned about Maine Seaweed Week! Such a great idea!”

“It was great to see the wide range of products that can be made out of seaweed. I came back with a lot of ideas!”

“We really appreciated the opportunity to network and learn from experts. Thank you for putting the Symposium together!”

Seaweed Hub Overview

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The Sea Grant network has established a National Seaweed Hub to serve as a science-based, non-advocacy resource for the domestic seaweed and seaweed aquaculture industry. This collaboration provides a framework to share information, address challenges, identify needs, and find opportunities in this emerging industry.

The first goal is to establish a baseline evaluation on current needs and challenges for all seaweed stakeholders through a formal needs assessment that will inform the creation of work groups to address identified needs and challenges.

The second goal is to bring seaweed stakeholders from across the country to work together to find a path forward in addressing challenges, finding solutions to needs, and pursuing opportunities for growth. This will be accomplished through participation in the first National Seaweed Symposium and continue in Virtual Work Groups.

Virtual Work Groups will be completely stakeholder-driven and comprised of a diverse group of dedicated individuals from industry, regulatory authorities, processors, culinary professionals, researchers, and others who have committed to tackling solutions to barriers that currently exist with making domestic seaweed aquaculture commercially viable. Guided by trusted Sea Grant Extension professionals, Work Groups will determine the next steps needed to move the emerging domestic seaweed industry forward.

Sea Grant awards $16 million to advance U.S. aquaculture

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Anoushka Concepcion
Connecticut Sea Grant Aquaculture Specialist Anoushka Concepcion examines a piece of kelp. Anoushka is the the principal investigator on a new National Sea Grant Seaweed Hub that will serve as a central clearinghouse for available science-based, non-proprietary, practical resources related to previous and current seaweed aquaculture research and extension efforts. Photo: Tessa Getchis

Sea Grant announces $16 million in federal funding awards to support 42 research projects and collaborative programs aimed at advancing sustainable aquaculture in the United States.

“With our 2019 investments, we are building on investments by Sea Grant and NOAA over the last few years to fill critical gaps in information and strengthen connectivity of science to industry,” said Jonathan Pennock, Director of the National Sea Grant College Program. “These investments will help advance U.S. aquaculture in sustainable, thoughtful ways using the best science and talent across the country.”

Read full article on Sea Grant website