OFFSHORE MACROALGAE FARM DESIGN – EXPERIENCE FROM ALASKA, NEW ENGLAND, FLORIDA, AND PUERTO RICO

While seaweed farming is a $6B global industry producing over 15 million tons , it remains  largely a labor-intensive, near-shore industry and less  than 0. 1% of this economic activity happens in the US in spite of our nation's huge EEZ.  To prosper domestically, farm technologies suitable for offshore locations are needed, particularly systems that lend themselves to mechanized planting and harvesting and that reduce the risks imposed on marine mammals or other protected species.

We have developed farm systems addressing these needs for sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) farming in Alaska and New England, and  for a tropical red alga (Eucheuma isiforme ) in Puerto Rico and Florida.  In all cases our systems are modular and support multiple parallel growlines within an overarching structure that provides dimensional stab ility and is readily expandable.  Notable in all these longline systems is a high ratio of growline length per unit  farm area and the maintenance of pre-tension in the growlines.  This pre-tension enables closely  spaced lines,  and  offers opportunities for  efficient multi-line harvesting .  Our installation processes will be described along with our experience to date servicing these structures around the U.S.