What is Oceans 2050?

Seaweed farming is a critical tool for fueling our lives with limited impact on the health of the planet. That's why WWF is partnering with Oceans 2050, a nonprofit organization co-founded by Alexandra Cousteau aiming to restore and protect our oceans, to aid and encourage the growth of the seaweed industry. WWF is advancing the science around the relationship between carbon and seaweed farms and lifting up stories about people and communities that benefit from seaweed farming.

Why is WWF supportive of seaweed farming?

  • Produces nutritious food with no arable land, freshwater, or fertilizer.
  • Absorbs excess nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorous, that we have too much of in our oceans and reduces ocean acidity.
  • May improve overall animal health when added to livestock feed.
  • Can create less carbon-intensive plastics and protein extracts compared to traditional sources.
  • As fishing stocks are challenged, coastal and Indigenous communities may benefit from scaling up seaweed farming, providing income alternatives with sustainable jobs.

More on Farmed Seaweed

How does WWF support Oceans 2050?

Advancing the science around the relationship between carbon and seaweed farms

 
Carbon graphic thumbnail

Download PDF (1.36 MB)

Study: Carbon Burial in Sediments below Seaweed Farms
The study seeks to quantify carbon sequestration by seaweed among a global network of leading seaweed scientists and seaweed farm operators who are sampling sediments, advancing the science, and ultimately considering market incentives for seaweed aquaculture as a solution to helping address the climate crisis while contributing to ocean restoration.

 

 

Promoting stories about how seaweed farming and local communities intersect

Maine, USA

Explore the experiences of a young couple that returns to their roots to start a regenerative seaweed business in Maine.

Alaska, USA

Step foot in Alaska, where Native communities are contributing their knowledge and ancestral waters towards growing a sustainable seaweed industry.

Froya, Norway

Meet a salmon farmer who turns to seaweed farming in support of a sustainable and regenerative farming practice for the ocean and the local community.

Events

Nature’s Climate Fix:
Why should we support seaweed farming?

September 19, 2023 | 9:30-10:30 AM ET

At a Climate Week NYC event co-hosted by the Nest Climate Campus and presented by WWF, WWF’s Senior Vice President of Climate Change Marcene Mitchell will lead a panel with Oceans 2050’s Alexandra Cousteau and other industry experts as they discuss seaweed as a climate change strategy and a conversion-free crop that builds coastal resiliency around the world. Alexandra Cousteau will also debut a new short film exploring the value of seaweed. Our panelists include:

  • Alexandra Cousteau, Co-founder of Oceans 2050
  • Jan Verbeek, Scientific Manager at SeaForester
  • Paul Dobbins, Senior Director of Impact Investing and Ecosystems Services, Aquaculture at WWF
  • Bri Warner, CEO of Atlantic Sea Farms

Dig Deeper with WWF on Seaweed Farming

September 20, 2023 | 5:00-7:00 PM ET

    Join WWF at Wolfe's Neck Center in Freeport for the Maine premiere of an Oceans 2050’s video followed by a panel discussion. This series explores how seaweed can be used as a tool to promote healthy ocean abundance while improving the health of coastal communities. Opening remarks by Wolfe's Neck Center research staff and the video premiere will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Afton Vigue, Communications and Outreach Manager at Maine Aquaculture Association. Our panelists include:

    • Alexandra Cousteau, Co-founder of Oceans2050
    • Bailey Moritz, Lead Specialist for Seaweed at WWF
    • Morgan-Lea Fogg, Co-founder of Nautical Farms
    • Dr. Nichole Price, Senior Research Scientist of the Center for Seafood Solutions at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
    • Dr. Thew Suskiewicz, Seaweed Supply & Innovation Manager at Atlantic Sea Farms

     

    Learn more about WWF’s work on seaweed farming

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