Location: National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center
Project Number: 8030-10600-003-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Apr 13, 2026
End Date: Apr 13, 2031
Objective:
Objective 1: Improve seaweed management practices and genetics to increase efficiencies and profitability.
Approach:
Seaweed farming is the fastest growing aquaculture sector. U.S. seaweed farming has taken off in recent years, with farms in waters in New England, the Pacific Northwest, and Alaska and more in production. Farmers grow various types of seaweed—including dulse, bull kelp, ribbon kelp, and sugar kelp that are used food and non-products. With expanding growth and interest in seaweed farming, there is an urgent need to align federal research support with industry needs. Research on seaweed aquaculture is not in the NP 106 Aquaculture National Program Action Plan, therefore the need to develop a roadmap.