Seaweed Farm

Our community demonstration farm advancing sustainable marine aquaculture

Community Demonstration Farm

During 2018 and 2019, OceansAlaska laid the groundwork for Ketchikan's Community Demonstration Seaweed Farm with help from the Pacific Marine States Commission's Marine Aquaculture Pilot Project award.

Our farm serves as a working model for sustainable seaweed cultivation while providing vital ecosystem services such as CO2 uptake, nutrient absorption, and habitat creation for valuable seafood species.

Environmental Benefits

Seaweed farming provides crucial ecosystem services for marine environments

CO2 Absorption

Seaweed naturally absorbs carbon dioxide from the water, helping combat ocean acidification.

Nutrient Uptake

Removes excess nutrients from the water, improving water quality and reducing harmful algal blooms.

Habitat Creation

Provides nursery areas and shelter for fish, shellfish, and other marine life.

Economic Value

Creates sustainable economic opportunities for coastal communities through aquaculture.

Farm Implementation

Seed Collection

Gathering fertile seaweed (bull kelp) to produce high-quality seeded lines for cultivation.

Infrastructure Setup

Installing anchors and experimenting with different lines, buoys, and chain configurations.

Community Outreach

Working with fishermen, community members, processors, and environmental groups.

Phase One: Building the Farm

Phase one put the infrastructure in the water: gathering fertile bull kelp, producing seeded line, installing anchors, and testing line, buoy and chain configurations.