Seaweed farming continues to be an emerging aquaculture sector in the United States. Results from a national needs assessment conducted by the Sea Grant National Seaweed Hub shows that infrastructure to stabilize and process cultivated seaweed is lacking, preventing the seaweed sector from expanding. Sugar kelp (a type of seaweed) has a water content of approximately 90%, making it highly perishable. In addition, the harvest season is limited to approximately 2 to 3 months, depending on region. Therefore, processing or stabilization methods need to be employed to transition freshly harvested kelp into a more shelf-stable form, while ensuring food safety and product quality is maintained in a cost-effective manner. As processing technology and equipment for small to medium sized operations are limited or non-existent in the US, the Sea Grant programs from Connecticut and Alaska reached out to colleagues overseas for potential solutions.
Scotland has been utilizing various kelp species as fertilizer, animal feed, and as a seasoning in food products since the 1800s. While historically harvested from the wild, there is a shift toward increasing cultivation of their species. The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) is one of Europe’s leading marine science research organizations and one of the oldest oceanographic organizations in the world. SAMS seaweed-related research focuses on the farming of seaweed and the interaction between aquaculture and the environment from both perspectives, including the services and impacts the environment provides to the aquaculture industry and a sea farm’s impacts on the environment. Specifically, SAMS hosts a commercial seaweed nursery and has a mid-scale seaweed farm that supports national and European R&D projects. They also have numerous collaborations with academics and seaweed-related industries across the supply chain. The Scottish Seaweed Industry Association (SSIA) is an organization dedicated to the growth and innovation of the seaweed industry. They serve as a liaison between industry stakeholders, research organizations, and government bodies to foster the sustainable and responsible development of the sector.
SAMS and the SSIA hosted seaweed industry members from Connecticut and Alaska in May 2023 for a 5 day industry-to-industry knowledge exchange tour of stabilization facilities in Scotland. Supported by funding from the National Sea Grant Program’s Aquaculture Workforce Technologies and Education Travel Grants Projects, participating US seaweed industry members met with Scottish kelp farmers, nursery technicians, seaweed processors, food manufacturers, and start-up companies focused on product development. A webinar providing an overview of the tour and industry experiences is available on the National Seaweed Hub’s website.