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Why You Might Be Eating More Seaweed in the Future

Jul 12, 2024

Explore the potential of seaweed as a solution to various problems like feeding people, restoring habitats, and providing economic benefits. Learn about the challenges of scaling up seaweed aquaculture in the U.S. and the regulatory hurdles involved. Discover how seaweed could become a bigger part of the American diet in the future.

17:55

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Quick takeaways

Seaweed aquaculture offers economic opportunities for U.S. farmers and entrepreneurs.

Regulatory hurdles and environmental impact need to be addressed for widespread seaweed cultivation in the U.S.

Deep dives

The Rise of Seaweed Aquaculture in the U.S.

Seaweed aquaculture in the U.S. is gaining momentum as farmers and entrepreneurs aim to cultivate more seaweed due to its increasing popularity as a food source. Seaweed is touted for its diverse applications, including dietary supplements, salads, and even skincare products. The global seaweed market is projected to grow significantly, offering economic opportunities for farmers. Additionally, seaweed's environmental benefits, such as improving water quality and absorbing nutrients, make it an attractive crop for sustainable aquaculture practices.

Intro

2min

The Growth of Seaweed Aquaculture in the U.S. and its Environmental Benefits

3min

The Growing Importance of Seaweed Cultivation and its Diverse Use

2min

Exploring Different Seaweed-Based Snacks

1min

The Rise of Seaweed Farming in the U.S.

8min

To hear proponents talk about it, seaweed could solve a whole lot of problems. It could feed people, restore polluted habitats and be an economic boost for fishermen. Though seaweed aquaculture has grown in the U.S. in recent years, the country produced less than 1% of the global seaweed crop in 2019. Now, some companies are trying to get seaweed aquaculture to scale in the U.S. But there are regulatory hurdles to overcome, and researchers have questions about how a scaled industry would affect existing ecosystems. WSJ’s Alex Ossola looks at what it will take to make seaweed a bigger part of the American diet in the future.

What do you think about the show? Let us know on Apple Podcasts or Spotify , or email us: FOEPodcast@wsj.com

Further reading:

Inside the Quest for a Super Kelp That Can Survive Hotter Oceans

Cows Make Climate Change Worse. Could Seaweed Help?

A Sargassum Bloom Is Hitting Florida: What to Know About the Seaweed Mass

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