Sea Grant’s National Seaweed Hub (https://seaweedhub.extension.uconn.edu/) serves as a central clearinghouse for available science-based, non-advocate, and practical resources related to the emerging domestic seaweed aquaculture industry. Advocacy-driven messaging has fueled interest in seaweed farming; however, existing practical challenges have led to frustration from relevant sectors. There was a need to address emerging challenges and provide responsive, non-advocate resources in a publicly accessible f ormat. To accomplish this, Sea Grant Extension and National Sea Grant Law Center staff established virtual, multisector work groups representing diverse regions and roles in the seaweed industry (prospective and current farmers, regulatory agencies, non-profit organizations, academia, processors, culinary professionals, and others) to identify national needs and opportunities and develop achievable strategies or work plans to address emerging challenges.
Sea Grant Extension and Law Center staff employed several methods and tools to guide the virtual work groups in accomplishing their tasks including Zoom Video Communications polling feature and MIRO white board platforms. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the utilization of a virtual meeting platform provided the ability for various sectors, separated by great distances, to collaborate and accomplish project tasks. As a result, resources developed are responsive to multiple sectors’ needs, can be implemented b y a variety of stakeholders, and more sectors are collaborating on projects and exchanging information, setting a pathway for long-term success.