Organic Seaweed Products, Organic Seed, and Consulting.

The seaweed industry is at a crossroad with farmers finding limited markets and new seaweed products failing to gain traction. New farmers and existing farmers that hope to survive this quickly changing market will need to adapt by using best practices, growing appropriate species, and growing complementary species like sea urchins, scallops, or oysters.

The threats are real:

• Mislabeling is rampant. As far as the FDA is concerned, kelp are seaweeds from the family Macrocystis and Laminaria. Thus, products containing rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) or other species labelled as "kelp" are mislabelled and are considered adulterated. Many labels are in violation of California Prop 65 as well as FDA labelling guidelines.
• All kelp is not equal. Sugar and skinny kelp have 7 times more iodine than alaria, and even 1 teaspoon of dried sugar kelp powder has nearly 5 times the FDA maximum allowable amount of iodine. These levels present health risks and threaten the viability of products made from this seaweed.
• Sugar kelp production has far exceeded demand with prices stagnating at less than 75 cents per pound wet, with many farmers finding no buyers at any price. Massive amounts of excess production capacity currently exists with new capacity coming on line every day. Current farmers can produce over twice the amount of seaweed currently sold. This is the perfect storm for decreasing commodity prices and farmer failures.
• Current seaweed processors are "dumping" seaweed at low prices thus driving smaller independent producers to the brink of failure. Several CPG products are being sold in Whole Foods and others at pricing that is unsustainable. Several seaweed products that were launched with much fanfare are either off the market or will be soon.
• The lack of buyers and outlets has resulted in large quantities of seaweed being frozen or mechanically dried with dramatic negative climate impacts due to the release of greenhouse gas emissions-- often over 10 times more than the amount of carbon removed by growing the seaweed being stabilized. Quality of frozen seaweed is inferior and is driving further pricing weakness.
• The Maine Aquaculture Association recently published the "Maine Seaweed Benchmarking Report" (8/2023). The report highlighted significant issues facing existing farmers:
• 82% of farmers had gear failures and/or tangled lines;
• Over 70% had seed failure issues;
• Over 70% had biofouling issues; and
• Average seaweed yields were a sub-optimal 4.24 pounds per linear foot of seeded line.
• These issues support statements by farmers in the report regarding the sustainability of seaweed farming as a business:
• "Tell new farming people that they can make this a part of their living. But likely not their whole living.”
• “If it wasn’t for lobstering, kelp wouldn’t even be an option. Lobster pays all the bills and kelp uses the stuff we already have. We have almost everything else for fishing. If you had to go buy a boat to do this with, it wouldn't work."

Despite these headwinds, there is hope!

 

This course is designed to provide the essentials of operating a seaweed farm that avoids the issues facing those using the outdated Ocean Approved (Atlantic Sea Farms) Manual methods including:

• High yield farming techniques-- 20 to 35 pounds per linear foot;
• Farming design that uses less gear (lower cost) with less risk of gear failure or entanglements (higher profitability);
• Sourcing good seed-- free seed is not the answer nor is buying seed from nurseries which cannot grow custom seed for your farm using local genetics; and seaweed husbandry that minimizes biofouling.

 

The course will also cover growing Alaria esculenta, commonly called North American wakame. Alaria is nutrient rich with less iodine, thus safer for use in food and skin care products. It also grows quickly and is more uniform at harvest. An added benefit is its exceptional flavor and versatility.

The course will also take a deep look at growing complementary species such as green urchins, scallops, and oysters.

 

This course will also demonstrate the value of starting with LPAs before applying for a standard or experimental lease, as well as seeking year round leases versus leases that require your crop to be harvested before it is ready.

 

Our program is a mix of hands on and classroom sessions. Participants should arrive Friday evening for our first sessions, with a full day of sessions on Saturday, and a half day of sessions on Sunday. A certificate option is available for those who complete the certificate requirements which are available upon request. A meal option is available. Discount housing is also available.

 

The program cost is $495. Meal option, two dinners and two lunches, is $50. The certificate option is an additional $200. Zoom option is $395.