Meet the CEO Bringing Seaweed to Your Grocery Store
Aug 30, 2024
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Briana Warner, CEO of Atlantic Sea Farms, discusses the exciting resurgence of seaweed cultivation in U.S. waters, emphasizing its sustainability and potential as a health food. She highlights innovative applications of kelp in products and how it can benefit local fishermen. Alex Ossola joins the conversation, exploring the environmental advantages and market viability of seaweed farming, while envisioning a future where kelp becomes a staple in grocery stores. Together, they discuss tackling challenges and maximizing the industry's growth potential.
The shift towards local seaweed aquaculture in the U.S. presents economic opportunities for fishermen and environmental benefits by mitigating ocean acidification.
Atlantic Sea Farms aims to innovate seaweed products, expanding its use beyond snacks to staples in health-conscious and sustainable consumer markets.
Deep dives
The Growing Seaweed Market
The seaweed market in the United States has expanded significantly, with a notable shift towards local aquaculture. Currently, around 95% of the seaweed consumed in the U.S. is imported, primarily from countries like China and South Korea. However, increased consumer awareness of health, environmental impacts, and traceability has initiated a growing interest in domestic seaweed farming. This shift is both an opportunity for local fishermen, whose livelihoods are threatened by climate change, and a means to produce seaweed sustainably without the need for fertilizers or pesticides.
Environmental Benefits of Seaweed Farming
Farming seaweed offers numerous ecological advantages, particularly in combating ocean acidification and enhancing marine ecosystems. As seaweed grows, it absorbs carbon and nitrogen from the surrounding waters, helping to mitigate harmful effects of increased acidity on vital marine species like shellfish. This process, referred to as the 'Halo effect,' allows nearby shell-bearing organisms to thrive, emphasizing the dual benefits of improving marine environments while providing a sustainable food source. Moreover, seaweed farming contributes to the resilience of coastal communities by providing an alternative livelihood for fishermen in the face of changing ocean conditions.
Diverse Applications and Future Growth
Seaweed's versatility allows it to be incorporated into a variety of products, ranging from food to cosmetics to bioplastics. Companies like Atlantic Sea Farms aim to broaden the perception of seaweed beyond traditional snacks by developing innovative products such as sea veggie burgers and kelp-infused smoothies. As consumer preferences evolve and the demand for sustainable ingredients rises, there is significant potential for growth in both retail and ingredient markets. The ultimate goal is to integrate seaweed into everyday food items and personal care products, positioning it as a staple in health-conscious and environmentally friendly consumer choices.
Seaweed has lots of practical applications. We use it as fertilizer, incorporate it into face creams and packaging as a plastic alternative, and we eat it. Very little of the seaweed used worldwide is grown in the U.S., which some proponents and regulators are looking to change because seaweed has been shown to have some positive effects on ecosystems. Maine-based Atlantic Sea Farms is one company looking to increase the amount of seaweed grown in U.S. waters. WSJ’s Alex Ossola speaks with Atlantic Sea Farms CEO Briana Warner about how her company is making that happen, and what it will take for seaweed aquaculture to truly scale in the U.S.
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