Final regulatory obstacle removed for 2,000-acre US seaweed farm
But success depends on developing a viable value chain, says Ocean Rainforest boss
Seaweed farmer Ocean Rainforest may undertake a dedicated capital raise to support the build-out of a commercial-scale site off the coast of California after winning permission for the project.
The 2,000-acre farm, located in federal waters approximately four miles offshore of Ventura County, will cultivate native giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) using a submerged cultivation system designed for open-ocean conditions.
The California Coastal Commission unanimously approved consistency certification for the kelp farm last week, clearing the final major regulatory hurdle needed to move forward with construction of the project.
“This approval is a major milestone for Ocean Rainforest and gives us the foundation to take offshore kelp cultivation in California from demonstration to commercial scale,” said Ocean Rainforest’s Faroese chief executive Olavur Gregersen.
“But the permit alone is not enough. Our success will depend on building a viable value chain where cultivation grows alongside market demand for sustainable seaweed products that can contribute to a better life for people and the planet.”
6,000 wet tonnes
Developed in stages to full scale, the Ventura project will have the capacity to produce approximately 6,000 wet tonnes of giant kelp annually. Harvested kelp will be landed at Ventura Harbour and used primarily for agricultural applications.
The project is intended to support the diversification of the Ventura working waterfront while building a domestic supply chain for cultivated kelp. Ocean Rainforest has already launched seaweed biostimulants in the California agricultural market, with applications in local crops including strawberries, avocados and wine grapes.
Extensive engagement
Ocean Rainforest said the project has been developed through an extensive regulatory and stakeholder engagement process designed to identify and minimise potential interactions with existing ocean users and marine resources and create a comprehensive monitoring plan.
Kaira Wallace, the company’s regulatory and engagement lead, said: “Building a commercial market for cultivated kelp also means demonstrating that seaweed farming can be developed responsibly alongside existing ocean uses.
“Throughout this process, we have worked closely with regulators, fishermen, researchers, and local stakeholders to listen, learn and improve the project. That engagement has directly influenced how the farm is designed, operated and monitored, and it will remain an important part of how we approach development going forward.”
The Ventura project builds on years of research and development by Ocean Rainforest, including an 86-acre demonstration farm operated offshore of Santa Barbara.
“The demonstration farm gave us invaluable real-world experience in cultivating giant kelp in an open-ocean environment,” said Douglas Bush, director of California operations at Ocean Rainforest.
“We learned not only how to improve the cultivation system itself, but also how to operate, monitor and maintain an offshore farm responsibly under real conditions. Those lessons have directly shaped the design for the Ventura project and give us a much stronger foundation for moving toward commercial-scale cultivation.”
Developing markets
Ocean Rainforest began seaweed farming on a site leased from salmon farmer Bakkafrost in the Faroes, although it has since moved to different locations in the archipelago. It also has operations in Baja California, Mexico.
The company said market demand, commercial partnerships, operational readiness, and available capital will determine the timing and scale of construction of the new site in California.
“This approach will allow Ocean Rainforest to align investment in cultivation capacity with the development of downstream markets. Depending on the pace and scope of development, Ocean Rainforest may undertake a dedicated capital raise to support the build-out of the project,” the company said in a press release.
