Ocean Rainforest, Inc. (ORI) is the prime contractor for the MacroSystems project: an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E Mariner Program intended to demonstrate the feasibility of offshore cultivation of Macrocystis pyrifera (i.e. Giant Kelp).
In June 2020, the team formally launched a three-year demonstration project in the Santa Barbara Channel to test the durability of the cultivation system, as well as to better understand how to minimize its impact on marine industries and ecosystems. Since then, we have developed a hatchery facility, as well as installed a collection of cultivation lines .75 miles off the coast to begin to better understand the functionalities and challenges of the cultivation system.
Among the key innovations of our work in California has been an assessment of the feasibility of direct seeding for Giant kelp. While the traditional method of twine seeding is labor intensive and requires a large hatchery footprint, direct seeding involves the binding of gametophyte and/or juvenile sporophytes onto a substrate (i.e., rope) – effectively reducing space and labor requirements. Using a partial factorial design, we assessed long-term differences in biomass between a traditional twine method and the three direct seeding methodologies developed in partnership with SEAWISER. All direct seeding methodologies produced viable seedlings and we observed no difference in long-term success of the twine, massage, two-step, and spot seeding techniques. These results support the efficacy of using a direct seeding approach to cultivate Giant kelp and suggest the SEAWISER machine is the most efficient and cost-effective methodology.
In parallel to our work in the field, we tackled an extensive permit and application review process for an 86-acre demonstration project in the Santa Barbara Channel. In October 2021, Ocean Rainforest won unanimous approval from the California Coastal Commission for the project, which was quickly followed by final authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project represents the first offshore facility approved exclusively for seaweed aquaculture in the lower 48.
This presentation will discuss key advancements in seeding techniques and how they relate to the commercial viability of seaweed aquaculture in the U.S. It will also shed light on outstanding barriers to the development of the industry, including but not limited to product/market development, permitting, and social license.