Seaweed USA

Seaweed farming in the U.S. is emerging as a climate-smart, economically promising, and environmentally restorative industry, with rapid innovation and growing support from both public and private sectors.

• Springtide Seaweed in Maine is piloting a solar-powered nursery to become climate positive, meaning it will remove more carbon than it emits. This project is part of a broader push supported by over $200,000 in grant funding from the Island Institute to enhance coastal resilience and innovation.

• Seaweed absorbs carbon dioxide and nitrogen, helping to combat ocean acidification and improve water quality — making it a powerful tool in climate adaptation strategies.

• In California, Ocean Rainforest is developing one of the world’s first open-ocean seaweed farms off Santa Barbara. Their goal: to scale production to 1 million tons annually by 2030, targeting uses in food, biofuels, and carbon sequestration.

• These farms are pioneering new models of offshore aquaculture, integrating seaweed with shellfish and other species for ecosystem-based farming.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Bigelow Laboratory report that seaweed and seagrass farming is driving economic activity on working waterfronts, creating jobs and new revenue streams for coastal communities.

• Seaweed is being explored as a sustainable ingredient in everything from plant-based foods to bioplastics, animal feed, and fertilizers — opening doors for diverse markets.

• Culinary interest is rising, with chefs and food companies incorporating U.S.-grown seaweed into snacks, seasonings, and health foods. The sector is drawing comparisons to the early days of soybean farming, with hopes of becoming a mainstream agricultural powerhouse.

• Institutions like California Sea Grant and Bigelow Laboratory are advancing research on seaweed’s ecological benefits and commercial viability, while calling for more R&D investment and industry-science partnerships.

In short, seaweed farming in the U.S. is no longer niche — it’s a rising blue economy sector with the potential to nourish people, restore ecosystems, and power climate solutions.

Seaweed Production USA

Alaska Seaweed Insights

Atlantic Sea Farms

Greenwave

Blue Evolution