The Kelp Kurious project is an initiative by the Ecology Action Centre (ECA) that helps people learn about the opportunities and benefits in the seaweed sector. They support small-scale, regenerative seaweed farming and small-scale seaweed product entrepreneurs through this project. It aims to develop community-based economic opportunities and sustainable sources of income.
The ECA encourages everyone to rethink our relationship to the ocean and how we produce seafood. Through their Farmer Training, Seaweed Nursery & Education Centre, interested folks can learn more about seaweed farming. Aside from growing, tending, and harvesting seaweed; you can also learn more about navigating regulatory requirements for your farm; science-based, low-impact farming techniques; and their spores-to-spools nursery that demonstrates low-cost methods including how to set up using a few cuttings of local, wild kelp.
The ECA’s farm site is also available for individuals or groups who are pursuing seaweed related researches. You can perform your research that focuses on innovative farming techniques and farm design; carbon and nutrient capture potential from kelp farming; and marine ecosystem benefits and impacts from kelp farming.
Everyone is also encouraged to visit their education centre to learn about kelp’s role in our marine ecosystems; discover the varieties of seaweed naturally found in the waters of Nova Scotia; and explore seaweed and other creatures in our touch tank. You may also learn about seaweed and shellfish farming; explore seaweed farming as a form of coastal livelihood; and can even test out seaweed products.
The ECA is encouraging fostering opportunities to micro and small business owners to enter the booming seaweed industry. They provide support for entrepreneurs to develop, test and launch seaweed products, including food, health and beauty, fertilizer and bioplastics products. They make their compiled market research and feasibility studies accessible to the public. They consistently identifying new and existing markets for seaweed product entrepreneurs. And they continue to explore a variety of business models to support the development of the seaweed sector in Atlantic Canada.
Seaweed farming can have negative effects and hazards, much like any other human activity in the water. However, it can be an environmentally and economically viable source of revenue for coastal communities if pursued at an appropriate scale with the preservation of wild seaweed, biodiversity, and ecosystem health at the center of operations.
By doing seaweed farming in a right way, it can generate a stable income for seaweed farmers and small enterprises. Ethical seaweed farming may improve coastal lifestyles and support robust marine ecosystems.
More to this story at https://ecologyaction.ca/our-work/marine/seaweed-farming-training-centre
Reference and photo credits to :
https://ecologyaction.ca/
