Organic Certification Needs Assessment for Kelp Mariculture in Alaska

The Organic Certification Needs Assessment for Kelp Mariculture in Alaska (Alaska Needs Assessment) is designed to provide an understanding the current and anticipated market demand for organic certified farmed kelp from the state, and depending on demand, to identify specific support mechanisms and infrastructure to support and advance a transition to organic kelp production. The project aims to inform people and organizations involved in both organic certification and seaweed mariculture.

Northwest

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2024

Organic certification needs assessment
for Kelp Mariculture in Alaska
FINAL REPORT

Prepared for
Northwest Transition to Organics Partnership Program

by Regeneration North

July 12, 2024

Table of Contents
I. Introduction

p. 3

II. Key Findings

p.4

III. Methodology

p. 6

IV. Overview of farmed seaweed organic certification

p. 6

V. Current status of seaweed mariculture in Alaska

p. 7

VI. Current and emerging markets for Alaska grown kelp and
implications for organic production

p. 11

VII. Current activity in organic certification in Alaska seaweed
mariculture

p. 19

VIII. Technical assistance, education, and workforce training for
organic certification

p. 25

IX. Potential next steps under the Transition to Organic Partnership
Program

p. 31

X. Conclusions

p. 32

References

p. 33

List of Tables
Table 1: Permitted Seaweed Farm Acreage Expansion

p. 10

Table 2: Alaska Kelp Harvest 2018-2023

p. 10

Table 3. Realized Value of Edible Seaweed Products

p. 15

Table 4: Known buyers of Alaska-grown kelp by market category

p. 17

Table 5: Reasons cited for purchasing/not purchasing organic certified
seaweed

p. 18

Table 6: Farm data from Alaska Needs Assessment farmer interviews

p. 20

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Table 7: Current barriers cited to organic certification of Alaska
seaweed farms

p. 21

Table 8: Comments received during Mariculture in Alaska Conference

p. 24

Table 9: Ideas for technical assistance, education, and workforce
training

p. 26

List of Figures
Figure 1: Simplified schematic of a kelp farm
Figure 2: Detailed schematic of a typical 5-line kelp array

p. 7
p. 8

Figure 3: Predicted seaweed market size by 2030 ($millions) with
chance of market establishment indicated by color on a high-level
market horizon timeline

p. 12

Figure 4: Potential Market Opportunities for U.S. Seaweed Producers,
by Time to Commercial Readiness (years), Feedstock Value ($ per dry
metric ton), and Potential Market Size (million dry metric tons)

p. 14

Figure 5: Willingness to pay – % markup for certified organic kelp

p. 16

List of Appendices
Appendix A: Alaska Needs Assessment Interview protocol

p. 35

Appendix B: Seaweed mariculture experts interviewed for the Alaska
Needs Assessment

p. 37

Appendix C: “Organic Certification of farmed Kelp; Alaska Needs
Assessment and National Review and Alignment of Certification
Protocols and Guidelines” Abstract for presentation at Mariculture

p. 39

Conference of Alaska, February 27-28, 2024, Anchorage, Alaska

2

Organic certification needs assessment for Kelp Mariculture in Alaska
I. Introduction
The Organic Certification Needs Assessment for Kelp Mariculture in Alaska (Alaska
Needs Assessment) is designed to provide an understanding the current and
anticipated market demand for organic certified farmed kelp from the state, and
depending on demand, to identify specific support mechanisms and infrastructure
to support and advance a transition to organic kelp production. The project aims to
inform people and organizations involved in both organic certification and seaweed
mariculture. Objectives include:
•
•
•
•

Build on existing seaweed marketing data and determine the relative scale
and potential of organic-specific opportunities for Alaska producers within
different markets (livestock feed, human food, soil amendments, etc.)
Understand potential barriers, limiting factors, and demand for organic
certification of seaweed farms in Alaska.
Identify needs for technical assistance, education and training to support
organic certification of seaweed farms in Alaska.
Identify potential next steps under the TOPP program in the next 2-4 years.

The Alaska Needs Assessment is supported through the USDA Transition to Organic
Partnership Program (TOPP), which falls under the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).
Beginning in August 2023 Regeneration North LLC lead the assessment in three
phases:
• Phase 1 – An Initial Assessment of the current status of seaweed mariculture
production and marketing, and of current activity in organic certification
seaweed mariculture operations in Alaska.
• Phase 2 – An assessment of current and emerging markets for Alaska grown
kelp and implications for transition to organic production; a deeper
examination of current activity, limiting factors and support for organic
certification of Alaska seaweed mariculture operations and learning
applicable from other regions.
• Phase 3 – continued outreach within the Alaska mariculture community,
including a presentation of preliminary findings from the Needs Assessment
and an associated listening session at the annual Mariculture in Alaska
conference, held February 27-28, 2024 in Anchorage.

3

This Final Report incorporates and synthesizes information and data collected
throughout the assessment period, and identifies potential next steps under TOPP in
the next 2-4 years.
II. Key Findings
1. More than 97% of harvested seaweed is produced in Asia and nearly all of it
is farmed. World farmed seaweed production has grown at an average
annual rate of 7% a year over the last 20 years, while the world’s wild
seaweed harvest plateaued in the 1960s. The United States grows less than
one-hundredth of one percent of the world’s seaweed, mostly wild harvested
rockweed from Maine, however farmed seaweed production has grown
rapidly in Maine and Alaska over the last five years. A handful of other
coastal states, including Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Washington and Oregon also have small but expanding
seaweed mariculture industries.
2. Recent global and Alaska-specific assessments of seaweed markets find most
farmed seaweed is currently used for direct human consumption, as fresh
feed in aquaculture, or as hydrocolloids. In addition, there are eight relatively
new and emerging seaweed applications with the potential to be relevant to
the Alaska seaweed industry and a transition to organic in the next 5 years
including plant biostimulants, animal feed, pet foods, and methane-reducing
additives, nutraceuticals, alternative proteins, bioplastics, and fabrics. Recent
assessments also predict the climate and environment benefits of seaweed
farming will help drive growth as interest in “green” products continues to
increase. This growing interest may correlate with a demand for organic.
3. While seaweed production in Alaska and globally continues to expand,
market analysts and industry leaders indicate much uncertainty around
emerging markets especially in the US where production costs are high.
Alaska seaweed farmers currently report difficulty finding and securing
markets and other significant uncertainties within the nascent industry,
including the near- and long-term availability of processing capability in the
state.
4. Due to current market conditions, the majority of those interviewed in the
mariculture industry believe Alaska needs to target markets for high-value
products that appeal to “the target seaweed consumer”, whose profile closely
matches that of an organic products consumer. Further, industry experts
interviewed indicated those markets include not only human foods,
nutraceuticals and cosmetics, but also animal feed supplements for
organically produced meat and dairy markets, as well as bioplastics and
textile markets that are “virtue-signaling” with organic certification. At least
three of the largest volume current wholesale buyers of Alaska-grown kelp
4

require certified organic product. Some, but not all buyers requiring organic
certification indicate a willingness to pay a premium for certified product.
5. However, others in the Alaska mariculture industry indicated the economic
necessity of a shift toward larger scale farms and larger scale commodity
markets, that might or might not require organic certification. Additionally,
some industry leaders question the need for organic certification, stating that
people already trust Alaska seaweed and shellfish as clean, healthy products.
6. All seaweed farmers interviewed who have or are in the process of obtaining
organic certification reported their primary motivation is expanding
markets, either through an existing buyer that requires certification, or due
to strong indications from potential buyers that would purchase kelp from
the farm if and when it was certified organic.
7. Farmers interviewed whose operations are not currently certified organic
initially indicated that certification is a low priority relative to other needs,
especially the need for a greater number of buyers and more processing
capacity. However, several of these same farmers began to peruse organic
certification within several months of our initial interviews, citing greater
awareness gained from participation in this Needs Assessment.
8. Barriers to obtaining organic certification include: Overall costs; logistics,
especially in remote regions; demand, including understanding existing,
evolving and shifting markets; and lack of knowledge about the organic
certification process.
9. Many in the mariculture community expressed confusion and concern about
the interpretation of the NOP terrestrial farm standard for application to
seaweed mariculture, and the lack of a unified protocol or approach for
certifying kelp farms. They expressed concern about the long-term integrity
and durability of the organic label for kelp based on the current use and
application of the NOP terrestrial standard. (Note this concern is now being
addressed through a separate process, the National Review and Alignment of
Farmed Seaweed Certification Protocols and Guidelines, a 2024-2025
partnership between TOPP and Regeneration North.]
10. Several existing organizations, including the Alaska Mariculture Resource
and Training Center (AMRTC), Alaska Mariculture Alliance, GreenWave, and
the Native Conservancy that currently support mariculture in Alaska are well
positioned to add and provide technical assistance, education and training
related to organic certification of seaweed farms, if and as demand warrants.
11. Potential next steps under the TOPP in the next 2-4 years include: Develop
partnerships to establish training and support programs/initiatives; organic
marketing and promotion partnerships; and continued investment in the
5

National Review and Alignment of Farmed Seaweed Certification Protocols and
Guidelines.
III. Methodology
Regeneration North conducted research and analysis including: web-based
research; reviews of publications and reports; interviews with farmers and other
industry experts, including Alaska kelp buyers and processors, nursery operators,
and people representing governmental and nongovernmental organizations
supporting ocean farming in Alaska and nationally; and a presentation and listening
session at the Mariculture in Alaska conference, held February 27-28, 2024 in
Anchorage. In total we formally interviewed 30 individuals, and reached
approximately 250 people in attendance at the Mariculture in Alaska conference
through a presentation to the full conference and a separate listening session.
See Appendix A for interview protocols, Appendix B for a list of individuals
interviewed and their affiliations, and Appendix C for a copy of the conference
presentation abstract.
IV. Overview of farmed seaweed organic certification
In the United States, organic standards are defined and enforced by the USDA’s
National Organic Program (NOP). The NOP was first authorized under the Organic
Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA), which called for the creation of a program
based on federal regulations that define standard organic farming practices. The
NOP’s standards regulate numerous facets of organic production and handling, and
include requirements related to pest management, crop rotation practices, livestock
feed, and other cultural practices. Further, the standards generally require and/or
encourage practices that cycle resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve
biodiversity, and also restrict the use of certain specific substances (e.g., synthetic
pesticides and fertilizers) in the farming methods used to create organic products.
For a crop or product to be labeled organic and use the USDA organic seal, the
producers, processors, and handlers associated with it must all undergo a
certification process that verifies each entity is adhering to the NOP’s regulations. To
begin the formal certification process, operations submit an application, including
an Organic System Plan (OSP) to an accredited certifying organization, which then
conducts an operational site inspection. If the application is approved, the certifying
organization requires annual reporting and inspections to maintain the operation’s
certified organic status.
To date, the organic market in the US has been largely focused on terrestrial
farmers. Federally, there is a process for certifying wild-harvested seaweed as
organic (USDA National Organic Program, 2011), but this standard does not apply to
cultivated seaweed. The USDA began taking steps to develop organic aquaculture
6

standards in the early 2000s, however that process stalled and no such standards
have yet been established (Nichols 2019). Instead, farmed seaweed is currently
certified organic by interpreting and applying the terrestrial farm standard.
However, the National Review and Alignment of Farmed Seaweed Certification
Protocols and Guidelines, a 2024-2025 partnership between TOPP and Regeneration
North, is working toward developing a unified set of guidelines and protocols based
on the principals of the NOP’s terrestrial standard for application to seaweed
mariculture.
According to the USDA Organic Integrity database there are currently 20 seaweed
farms and/or wild harvest operations listed as certified organic. Of those three are
in Alaska and 17 are in Maine. The first was certified in 2013, but the majority have
been certified since 2020. The database does not reflect current certification
applications and reviews, therefore does not report recent activity. The USDA’s
Organic Certification Cost Share programs offer federal reimbursement to assist
organic producers and handlers with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic
certification.
V. Current status of seaweed mariculture in Alaska
Seaweed as a Crop in Alaska
Farmed seaweed is unlike any other crop, especially in terms of how it’s seeded and
cultivated. In laying a foundation for understanding how seaweed farms are and
will be certified organic, it’s useful to understand some of basics of farm design, seed
production, growth and harvest.
While farm design varies globally, in Alaska and elsewhere in the US most seaweed
is farmed using arrays of lines suspended by buoys and held in place by anchors on
the seafloor (Figures 1 and 2).
Figure 1: Simplified schematic of a kelp farm

(Source: National Science Teaching Association https://www.nsta.org/lesson-plan/how-can-growing-seaweed-help-mussels)

7

Figure 2: Detailed schematic of a typical 5-line kelp array

(Source: C.A. Goudy & Associates (http://cagoudey.com))

Most Alaska kelp farms are sited in protected bays and inlets in part because of ease
of access; however, farmers and researchers are testing different sites and
experimenting with different variables to optimize kelp growth (e.g., areas with
increased water flow, wave amplitude, greater freshwater input, and/or high
nutrient density).
Cultivation starts with seed collection. Farmers dive and collect wild, mature kelp
with reproductive sorus tissue. By Alaska administrative policy, a minimum of 50
unrelated samples of sorus must be collected within 50 km of the farm site. This
“50-50 Rule” is intended to minimize disease transmission, protect genetic fitness in
the wild, and maintain genetic diversity within cultured broodstocks.
Farmers deliver the sorus to a nursery where they are manipulated to release
spores. Typical nursery practice is to release spores into aquaria filled with
seawater and spools of submerged nylon twine. Within weeks the spores attach to
the rough twine and grow into tiny (approximately 1 mm) young kelp. Farmers then
unfurl the spools of “seeded line” on the farm, wrapping it around the “grow lines”
(typically 3/8-inch diameter). They place the seeded grow lines 4-10 ft underwater
at the farm site. Seeding usually occurs October through January. Farmers tend
their sites throughout the winter, adding buoys and weights to optimize the position
of the lines in the water for maximum sunlight while also keeping them deep enough
to prevent freezing. The kelp blades grow from 1 mm up to 3 meters or longer by
the time of harvest, which is typically in April and May throughout most of Alaska.

8

Types of Farmed Seaweed
Globally, seaweeds (or marine algae) are separated into three major taxonomic
groups: brown, green and red algae. All of the species currently being farmed in
Alaska are brown algae, and include sugar kelp (Saccharina latissimi), bull kelp
(Nereocystis luetkeana), and ribbon kelp (Alaria marginata). Some in the industry
are working to cultivate additional species, including giant kelp (Macrocystis
pyrifera), 5-ribbed kelp (Costaria costata), three ribbed kelp (Cymathere triplicate),
and split kelp (Saccharina groenlandica,). Sugar, followed by ribbon kelp also
comprise the majority of farmed seaweeds in Maine. These species are not widely
farmed on a global scale, although sugar kelp and ribbon kelp are similar to the
kombu and wakame species, respectively, that are widely grown in Asia. No red
seaweeds are currently farmed in significant amounts in the U.S., however research
on growing at least two species is underway.
Production
Global and Domestic
More than 97% of seaweed is produced in Asia, with nearly all of that farmed. World
farmed seaweed production has grown at an average annual rate of 7% a year over
the last 20 years, while the world’s wild seaweed harvest plateaued in the 1960s
(McKinley Research Group LLC 2021).
The United States grows a very small portion of global production – less than onehundredth of one percent of the world’s seaweed. Most seaweed currently produced
in the U.S. is wild harvest, and about 80% of that is rockweed from Maine (McKinley
Research Group LLC 2021). Farmed seaweed production has grown rapidly in
Maine and Alaska over the last five years. A handful of other coastal states,
including Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Washington
and Oregon also have small but expanding seaweed mariculture industries.
Alaska
Seaweed farming is the fastest-growing aquaculture sector in the US broadly and in
Alaska (Kim et al 2019) and is expected to continue growing in the coming decades
(Alaska Mariculture Task Force 2019). Alaska’s first commercial harvest of farmed
seaweed was in 2017 and was a mere 18,000 pounds. By 2019, farmers in Alaska
produced more than 112,000 pounds of sugar, ribbon, and bull kelp; an almost 200
percent increase over 2017. Then, between 2019 and 2022 the number of
permitted acres doubled, from 2000 to 4000 acres (Table 1) and the number of
pounds harvested grew exponentially to approximately 580,000 pounds (Table 2).

9

Table 1: Permitted Seaweed Farm Acreage Expansion

Table 2: Alaska Kelp Harvest 2018-2023

The Alaska Mariculture Cluster projects a 58-million-pound harvest by 2030
(Perkins 2023), and notably, the current largest kelp farm in North America,
Seagrove Kelp Co., is located on the southeast Alaska coast. Yet finding buyers to
absorb current production levels is already proving to be a challenge—which was
reflected in a nearly 30% drop in production between 2022-23 (Table 2).
According to market research conducted by Macro Oceans and The McKinley Group,
this drop “…shows there is more work to be done in building demand for kelp-based
products in the US market and investing in the infrastructure needed to bring those
products to scale” (Perkins 2023).
Wild-harvest of seaweed in Alaska for commercial purposes is subject to a set of
regulations that require a permit only in the most densely populated parts of the
coast. People collecting wild seaweed for commercial purposes have to report
harvests only under some conditions. Data collected on wild seaweed harvest are
not maintained in a central data base, and are therefore not readily available and
may not reflect the true volume.
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Industry expansion
Several factors are driving the expansion of seaweed mariculture in Alaska,
including:
•

•

•

•

•

Alaska has all the right conditions: With extensive coastline (more than
the other the 49 states combined), cold and clean water, existing coastal
infrastructure and experienced maritime workforce, Alaska is an excellent
place to grow seaweed.
A sense of economic opportunity: For commercial fishermen, shellfish
farmers, and first-time farmers, seaweed farming offers an opportunity to
diversify a farming operation or start a new business. This opportunity is
especially relevant as fisheries decline and coastal residents and
communities look for alternative sources of livelihood. Seaweed mariculture
has been touted as a significant source of new jobs for rural Alaskan coastal
and tribal communities. A recent flush of funding, markets research, and
investments in infrastructure have created a perception that ready markets
exist and more are emerging.
It’s regenerative: Seaweed production does not require fertilizer, fresh
water, or arable land. Seaweeds are incredibly efficient at pulling carbon
dioxide from ocean water for growth, helping to combat local impacts
of ocean acidification. Many people involved in the nascent kelp
mariculture industry in Alaska are looking to have a positive impact in the
face of climate change, fisheries declines and the long-term impacts of the
1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.
Alaska Natives are leading efforts to farm seaweed in Alaska. Programs
like the Native Conservancy’s Native Regenerative Fund and the Kodiak
Archipelago Leadership Institute’s Mariculture Initiative provide support to
Alaska Native farmers for growing and processing kelp. Initiatives at Spruce
Root provide business start-up and financing support, and Alutiiq Pride
Marine Institute supports farm siting research, permitting and with hatchery
services.
An increase in funding and infrastructure: Recent investments from the
Federal government, State of Alaska, private industry and others have
helped establish farms, nurseries and small-scale processing and production
facilities, and have fueled the sense that the mariculture industry is ripe for
growth. Notable investments include a comprehensive Mariculture
Development Plan to accelerate the development of a $100 million
mariculture industry over the next 20 years. In September 2022 the Federal
Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced a $49m grant to
promote seaweed and shellfish mariculture in Alaska.

VI. Current and emerging markets for Alaska grown kelp and implications for
organic production

11

Current and emerging markets – global perspective
The most recent and comprehensive assessment of global seaweed markets is the
World Bank Global Seaweed New and Emerging Markets Report (2023) which
provides an analysis of the commercial opportunities for new high-growth seaweed
market applications that could increase the scale of seaweed cultivation and
enhance value-added seaweed processing. The report finds while most farmed
seaweed is currently used for direct human consumption, as fresh feed in
aquaculture, or as hydrocolloids (e.g., agar, alginate, carrageenan), and there are ten
relatively new and emerging seaweed applications with the potential to grow by an
additional USD 11.8 billion by 2030 (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Predicted seaweed market size by 2030 ($millions) with chance of
market establishment indicated by on a high-level market horizon timeline

(Source: World Bank 2023)

Those new and emerging markets have the potential to be relevant to the Alaska
seaweed industry and a transition to organic in the following ways:
•

Short-term (before 2025): Biostimulants, animal feed, pet foods, and methanereducing additives, projected to reach USD 4.4 billion by 2030 (World Bank
2023).

While these markets are typically lower value than the natural foods and
nutraceuticals markets, the brown kelps grown in Alaska are one of the few (along
with some red seaweeds) that have the methane-reducing properties (De Bhowmick
et al 2023) putting them in demand for this market. Further, the brown kelps grown
in Alaska (and elsewhere in the US) are not grown in most Asian producing regions,
therefore providing a potential market niche. Industry experts interviewed for this

12

Assessment state that these markets are part a broader marketplace that relies on
regenerative, virtue-signaling and organic messaging.
•

Medium -term (2024–2028) – Nutraceuticals, alternative proteins, bioplastics,
and fabrics. The high value nutraceuticals market is projected to reach USD 6
billion by 2030, but with the potential for regulatory hurdles to slow down
development (World Bank 2023).

Several companies actively producing in the nutraceuticals market, including Macro
Oceans and Oceanium, are currently purchasing Alaska-grown kelp, which is
promising for the state’s industry and indicates the need for certified organic
product. Additionally, several start-up companies and/or research divisions
producing kelp-based fabrics and bioplastics have made inquiries and initial
purchases in Alaska (see Table 4: Known buyers of Alaska-grown kelp by
market category) and there is at least one Alaska-based kelp bioplastics start-up
company.
•

Long-term (after 2028) – Pharmaceuticals (though deemed “unreliable” due to
significant regulatory challenges and a high cost of product development) and
construction/building materials (as a niche application, or through waste
valorization in processing seaweed for other applications) (World Bank 2023).

Though longer-term, the high-value, and likely organic production of
pharmaceuticals derived from seaweed may be relevant to Alaska’s transition to
organic.
Another key finding of the World Bank Report is that the climate and environment
benefits of seaweed farming will help drive growth as interest in “green” products
continues to increase. This growing interest may correlate with a demand for
organic.
Current and emerging markets – Alaska perspective
Recent markets analyses provide some insights into what types of markets are
emerging and/or expanding for Alaska grown seaweed. The Alaska Seaweed
Market Assessment (McKinley Research Group, LLC. 2021) determined most Alaska
seaweed production was bound for limited consumer natural foods markets, and
examined broader opportunities and strategic considerations of several other
current and emerging markets. As illustrated in Figure 4, they identify animal feed,
alternative proteins, and biorefinery (which includes high value bioactive
compounds for nutraceuticals) as three emerging markets in various states of time
to commercial readiness.

13

Figure 4: Potential Market Opportunities for U.S. Seaweed Producers, by Time
to Commercial Readiness (years), Feedstock Value ($ per dry metric ton),
and Potential Market Size (million dry metric tons)

(Source: produced by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) at the U.S. Department of
Energy, and published in the Alaska Seaweed Market Assessment (McKinley Research Group, LLC. 2021))

The timeline depicted in Figure 4 for commercial readiness of seaweed-containing
animal feeds and alternative proteins proved on target (Gleison et al 2023).
Due to market conditions including high cost of labor, distance to markets, and
competition from high volume/low-cost Asian markets, some analysts emphasize
that Alaska needs to target markets for high-value products (Grebe et al., 2019,
McKinley Research Group, LLC. 2021). Some high value products (whole/specialty
foods, nutraceuticals, cosmetics) already appeal to what the Alaska Seaweed Market
Assessment terms “the target seaweed consumer” (p. 45), who is: An upper-income
women, with or without children, in the 30-45-year-old range, probably lives on one
of the US coasts, cares about their health and the environmental and social impacts
of their food purchases, might be vegetarian, vegan, keto, paleo, gluten free, looking
for plant-based alternatives to meat, and/or simply an ambitious home cook. Of
relevance to the Needs Assessment, this profile closely matches that of the target
organic consumer (Pew Research Center, 2016).
Markets for certified organic kelp
Only a few studies of markets for organic kelp exist. First, an assessment conducted
by the Island Institute in Maine found that Organic products can achieve a “30% –
50% premium, although pricing varies and not all processors utilize organic
products” (Island Institute 2020). Table 3 provides their data.

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Table 3. Realized Value of Edible Seaweed Products

(Source: Island Institute, 2020)

This data may have limited applicability to Alaska and/or be outdated, however, as
most of the prices cited in this study are significantly below current market prices
for Alaska-grown kelp, and research for this Alaska Needs Assessment revealed
variability in kelp buyers’ willingness to pay a premium for certified organic product
(see Figure 5 below), and several buyers reported that supply of certified organic
kelp on the market currently exceeds demand.
The Island Institute study also found that while some organic seaweed products
were a growth driver in certain product categories, the Maine seaweed industry was
split over the importance of organic certification. Some cited “the growth of organic
products in the U.S., the healthier halo, and higher price point associated with
organic products”, while others expressed concern about the certification process,
its applicability to ocean growing, and the ultimate economic value of organic
certification (Island Institute 2020).
A second market analysis focused solely on organic kelp was conducted by
Transparency Markets Research, which published a summary on-line
(Transparency Markets Research, accessed on-line 8/29/23), but makes the full
report available for a substantial fee beyond the scope and budget of this Alaska

15

Needs Assessment. However, the summary contains a few potentially useful pieces
of information, including:
• It identifies the growing application of organic seaweed in “healthcare,
animal feed and fertilizers” as market drivers.
• According to the summary, the global organic seaweed market is expected to
grow at a considerable CAGR, and seaweeds consumed “in the liquid form”
are expected to have top revenue growth within the forecasted period.
• The Asia Pacific market holds the largest demand market for the organic
seaweed, and is expected to dominate the global organic seaweed market
within the forecasted period with a double digit CAGR (Transparency
Markets Research, accessed on-line 8/29/23).
In Alaska, the Prince William Sound Economic Development District (PWSEDD),
which is part of the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC), surveyed 15 known US kelp
buyers in 2023 to help assess potential markets for locally grown seaweed.
Regeneration North, as part of this Needs Assessment collaborated with PWSEDD to
identify potential buyers and to draft the following questions for the survey:
• How important is organic certification when considering the purchase of kelp
products? (Not very important; Important; Very important)
• The Island Institute’s 2020 Edible Seaweed Market Analysis reports organic
kelp products achieving a 30%-50% price premium as compared to nonorganic. What best represents the premium you would be willing to pay for
organic? (30%-50% premium, 10%-20% premium; Not willing to pay a
premium.)
The survey had a 40% response rate. Five out of six respondents stated organic
certification is a very important consideration when purchasing kelp. Figure 1
shows the price premium the six buyers are willing to pay for certified organic
seaweed.
Figure 5: Willingness to pay – % markup for certified organic kelp

Source: Prince William Sound Economic Development District, 2023

16

Current studies that will provide additional insights into markets for Alaska farmed
kelp, including certified organic, in the relative near term include:
•

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and Alaska Conservation
Foundation (ACF) have initiated a focused analysis of consumer willingness
to pay for kelp products from remote coastal communities as part of the Kelp
Values Project. The analysis includes discrete choice experiments with high
value food products examining the value proposition of eco-labels including
“certified organic”, “sustainably produced”, “Indigenous”, and “Alaska”. The
researchers are also analyzing different product types, price points, and
who’s buying.

•

The Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) has designated $1.2 M for market
development – including market analysis.

Current wholesale buyers of Alaska-grown seaweed
Published data on current sales by market segment and/or buyer of Alaska farmed
kelp are lacking. Further, many markets for seaweed are in research and
development or ‘bench top’ phase, making demand difficult to predict. A
preliminary look at the limited number of known buyers (those identified by
farmers and industry experts interviewed for this Needs Assessment), as well as
interviews with several buyers help indicate how the nascent market is currently
segmented, and which require certified organic kelp. Those buyers, organized by
market segment are listed in Table 4.
Table 4: Known buyers of Alaska-grown kelp by market category
Market

Companies requiring
certified organic

Natural foods

Atlantic Sea Farms
12 Tides
Blue Evolution
Seagrove Kelp
Blue Dot Kitchens
Macro Oceans

Nutraceuticals/
biorefinery
Plant
biostimulants

Pacific Northwest Organics

Skin care/
cosmetics

Sea-Soaked Skin Co.

Bioplastics

SWAY
Zero Circle
Loe Ware

Companies not
requiring certified
organic
Barnacle Foods, Foraged
& Found Daybreak
Seaweed
Kachemak Kelp

Organic
preference
not known

Oceanium
Ocean Rainforest

Waterbody

17

Textiles
Pet Food

Animal feed
supplements

Keel labs,
Nike
No specific buyers named but
referenced as a significant
emerging market for Alaskagrown seaweed
No specific buyers named but
referenced as a significant
emerging market for Alaskagrown seaweed

Table 4 shows that buyers exist for both organic certified and non-certified kelp
and at present. Interviews with current buyers operating at a small to medium scale
in the premium food market category (see Appendix B), revealed an ultimate or
ideal preference for certified organic product, however there are practical reasons
for not requiring it. Those interviews also revealed that several current buyers of
Alaska kelp require organic but don’t pay premium for it, and that supply of certified
organic kelp currently exceeds demand. Table 5 summarizes the reasons cited by
buyers and industry experts for purchasing or not purchasing organic certified
seaweed.
Table 5: Reasons cited for purchasing/not purchasing organic certified
seaweed
Companies requiring certified
organic
Reasons
cited

Companies not requiring
certified organic/farmers
choosing not to certify
• Consumers in their market
• Don’t want to put that
segment expect the organic
pressure and cost of organic
label, is necessary to
certification on small
compete with other
farmers.
products.
• Cost of other certified
organic ingredients is too
• They are selling an
intermediate market that is
high in multi-ingredient
producing an organic
value-added products,
certified product (e.g.,
therefor not worth paying a
animal feed for organic
premium for organic kelp.
certified meat, soil
• ‘Alaska’ is a brand that
biostimulants for organically
broadly signals “wild”,
grown grains and
“natural” and “purity”, so
vegetables.
the organic label is not
necessary.
• Virtue-signaling – industries
want to ‘tell the story’ of
• Selling direct to consumers
regeneratively grown,
in Alaska who don’t expect
organic kelp and/or are
the organic label.
promoting their product as
regenerative.

18

Reasons for caution
Globally and in Alaska the outlook for expansion seaweed farming and
diversification of markets is uncertain (World bank 2023, Hermans 2023, McKinley
2021). The number of publicly disclosed seaweed start-ups rose between 20212022, but the total amount invested in those deals declined, from more than $160
million to $120 million (Hermans 2023). A market analysis by The Nature
Conservancy and Bain and Company concluded that “growth in biostimulants and
bioplastic markets have potential to drive significant demand for seaweed – up to 1
million tons of seaweed for each by 2027.” (TNC and Bain 2023). They caution,
however, that across both markets the cost of production remains high, requiring
the industry to “either differentiate seaweed as a premium product worthy of a
higher price or bring down the cost…via increased efficiencies or establishment of
long-term incentives and subsidies for seaweed” (TNC and Bain 2023).
VII. Current activity in organic certification in Alaska seaweed mariculture
We formally interviewed 30 industry experts for this Needs Assessment (see
Appendices A and B), including 11 farmers, 11 people who work for organizations
supporting Alaska mariculture, four nursery operators, and seven buyer/processors
(note several interviewees represented more than one category). In this section we
summarize the interview responses by topic.
Farmer interest in organic certification
In 2022 Alaska had 39 permitted seaweed farms (although not all were, or are
actively being farmed). Of those, six farms have, or were known to be currently
seeking organic certification at the start of this Alaska Needs Assessment in August
2023. We interviewed a total of 11 farmers, including four of the six that had or
were working to obtain organic certification. Table 6 provides a summary of farm
location, size, years in operation and organic certification status of all farmers
interviewed for this project to date. Several of these same farmers began to peruse
organic certification within several months of our initial interviews, citing greater
awareness gained from participation in this Alaska Needs Assessment.

19

Table 6: Farm data from Alaska Needs Assessment farmer interviews

Farm
Region

Years in
operation

Farm size (acres):
50
10-50 2-10
+

Certified
organic?

Southeast

5+

X

Certified

Does/will
certification
expand your
markets?
Yes

Kodiak

5+

X

Certified

Yes

Kodiak

5+

X

Certified

Yes

Kodiak

5+

X

Certified

Unsure

Southeast

1

X

In process

Yes

PWS

2-5

X

In process
(buyer
paying)

Yes

PWS

2-5

X

Yes

Kenai

2-5

X

Southeast

2-5

X

In process
(buyer
paying)
Interested
(especially
if buyer
pays)
Interested
(especially
if buyer
pays)

Kenai

2-5

X

Interested
(especially
if buyer
pays)

Yes,
however…

Kenai

2-5

X

Interested
(especially
if buyer
pays)

Yes,
however…

PWS

2-5

X

Not
considered
, low
priority

Unsure

Unsure

Yes,
however…

Comments

Part of their motivation is there is
not a lot of organic kelp on the
market, so taking advantage of a
market opportunity.
Trend is toward high value organic
certified markets. Hoping others in
Kodiak Archipelago will also seek
certification to defray costs.
Organic label is part of their value
proposition.
Current focus is on commodity
markets, unsure if organic
certification is necessary at this time.
Organic Certification is the industry
standard and helps tell the story, so
is pursuing it.
Buyer paying for certification, so
first barrier overcome; Cost share
program potential is also
incentivizing. Lack of processing
capacity is Achilles heel.
Would probably have pursued
certification soon, but acting now
because buyer paying.
Interested in variety of markets,
organic certification is “vaguely out
there, back of mind”, processing and
markets bigger concerns.
Organic certification is meaningful to
consumers – “synchs the deal” with
direct-to-consumer market, but it’s
cost prohibitive – so it’s a “back
burner” issue. Operating on slim
margins, so need markets first.
Need reliable markets and known
buyers first. Would like to
collaborate with other farms in the
region to defray costs; will use cost
share program.
Understand there are markets for
organic certified kelp, but need to
have processing capacity and a
specific, reliable buyer lined up to
justify the cost.
No requests from buyers for organic
certified kelp; bigger issue is the
“very limited number of buyers for
kelp thus far”.

Table 6 shows that the largest and longest running farms have all invested in
organic certification, a few medium sized farms are working to become certified
20

because a buyer is paying for the certification, and other medium and small farms
are interested in becoming certified but at this time only if a buyer is paying for the
process and/or has made a commitment to purchase the product.
Motivation, facilitation, technical assistance, and peer to peer mentoring
All seaweed farmers interviewed reported their primary motivation to obtain
certification is or would be either an existing buyer that requires it, or strong
indications from potential buyers that they would purchase kelp from the farm if it
was certified organic. Not all farmers interviewed were able or willing to identify all
of their buyers, however those named are listed in Table 4: Known buyers of
Alaska-grown kelp by market category. Both the USDA Cost Share Program and
buyers who help pay for certification were identified as factors that facilitated
organic certification. All farmers interviewed stated they thought some sort of instate technical assistance and information resource for farmers would greatly
facilitate the transition to organic (e.g., information about certifying agencies, the
USDA Cost Share Program, etc.). Also, all farmers said they would be willing to
participate and share knowledge about the organic certification process in a peerto-peer network with other farmers.
Barriers to organic certification
We asked all 30 farmers and other industry experts interviewed to date what
barriers exist to obtaining organic certification (see interview protocol in Appendix
A). We’ve summarized their responses in Table 7.
Table 7: Current barriers cited to organic certification of Alaska seaweed
farms
Barrier
Cost/is it worth
it?

Specific comments
• Cost was the most commonly stated barrier.
• Some cited cost of certification process, others were more
focused on the initial and annual costs of paying for a
certifier to travel to their farm.
• “Does the market bump justify it? For many “wild” =
“organic”, can we get the same market bump with different
label?”
• “Could whole regions be certified?”
• “Too much emphasis on food markets might be pointing
people in the wrong direction – so cautionary note is don’t
invest too much money in organic certification too quickly
or too soon, especially when most kelp farmers are not
making any profit and many operating in the red/in startup phase.”
• Overall cost, especially when combined with cost of leases.

21

•
•
Lack of buyers
for certified
organic product
(and buyers in
general)

•

•
•
•

“Very few changes happen from year to year, is it necessary
to inspect every year Why not every other, or via interview
to help keep costs down? “
Need pathway for small farms to afford organic
certification.
Many farmers stated they would be willing to pursue
certification if they had a buyer, and some said they would
purse it at this time only if the buyer was willing to pay for
the process.
“Not making a profit. Need reliable markets and known
buyers first.”
“Who exactly are the buyers? Where is the proof buyers
want organic? Alaska has its own brand and everyone
knows it’s a clean brand.”
“Very limited (number of) buyers for kelp thus far”

Lack of in state
certifier

•

Directly relates to cost, though some respondents
acknowledged due to Alaska’s size and remote areas, they
would need a certifier in their region to make it cost
effective.

Lack of
knowledge
about the
process and/or
capacity to
investigate and
learn at this
time.

•
•

“I don’t know how to get started”
“I’d like to know more but it’s a small, start-up operation
and I don’t have the capacity or time to go investigate it
now.”
“We have pristine waters already – what will they
measure?”
What actions trigger the need for processing facilities to be
certified?

•
•

Uncertainty
•
about how
organic
certification is
being applied to
seaweed
•
mariculture

•

“How is seaweed farming different from fish farming and
fishing since the common element is water – a dynamic
fluid environment? Need to clearly articulate how and why
a farm site and process is considered an organic site and
process.”
Several farmers expressed either concern or confusion
about organic kelp seed, including: If organic seed is
currently being produced anywhere; if the current
exemption for non-organic kelp seed will last; should the
industry petition to have the two non-organic substances
currently used in seaweed hatcheries accepted for organic
hatchery practice?
Nursery operators interviewed reported receiving no
requests to date for organic seed.
22

•
•

Lack of
processing
capacity
Lack of organic
certified
processing
facility

•

Organic certification process is oriented to soil farmers –
there were soil related questions on their questionnaire.
Will getting certified be like Pandoras Box? Maybe I don’t
really want to open it and find out my farm site doesn’t
meet the criteria.”
“If we had reliable processing capacity then we’d more
likely pursue organic certification – first things first”.

• This comment was from a farmer interested in producing
value-added products

Questions and concerns about organic certification
Almost all of the experts interviewed, regardless of category, commented on the
confusing status of organic kelp seed production methods. It’s known that some
hatcheries in Maine have developed proprietary methods for producing organic
certified kelp seed in recent years, but was unclear to most interviewees if those
methods proved to be viable over time and/or if they are currently in use. Several
of those interviewed also expressed concerns about the details and durability of the
current exemption for non-organic kelp seed.
Many interviewees expressed confusion and concern about the interpretation of the
NOP terrestrial farm standard for application to seaweed mariculture, and the lack
of a unified protocol or approach for certifying kelp farms. They expressed concern
about the long-term integrity and durability of the organic label for kelp based on
the current use and application of the NOP terrestrial standard. (Note this concern is
now being addressed through a separate process, the National Review and
Alignment of Farmed Seaweed Certification Protocols and Guidelines, a 2024-2025
partnership between TOPP and Regeneration North.]
Perspectives on market demand for organic certification
Interviews with industry experts revealed a prevailing sentiment that virtually all
viable near-term markets for Alaska-grown seaweed will require organic
certification. That perspective was not unanimous, however, in part due to
uncertainty around nascent and evolving markets, and because some in the industry
believe Alaska already conveys a ‘pristine’ and ‘healthy’ brand, rendering the
organic brand unnecessary.
For the majority who believe organic certification is necessary for Alaska grown
kelp, their rationale closely mirrored the market analyses summarized above (see

23

VI. Current and emerging markets for Alaska grown kelp and implications for
organic production).
The cost of producing seaweed in Alaska is high relative to other areas of the world
and the US, which dictates seeking high end markets, such as whole/natural foods,
nutraceuticals and cosmetics. All of those industries want to ‘tell the story’ of
regeneratively grown, organic kelp. They further argued that certain other
emerging markets, including methane-reducing animal feeds, plant biostimulants
and bioplastics, that might require larger volumes (and therefore might be buying at
a lower price point) also exist in a broader marketplace that similarly relies on
regenerative, virtue-signaling and organic messaging.
However, some in the Alaska mariculture industry indicated the economic necessity
of a shift toward larger scale farms and larger scale commodity markets, that might
or might not require organic certification. This shift is evident in Maine where per
pound prices for farmed kelp have declined as some growers gain efficiencies in
operations, scale-up, and begin to sell into more commodity-like markets (Braydon
and Coleman, 2023). Additionally, some industry leaders question the need for
organic certification, stating that people already trust Alaska seaweed and shellfish
as clean, healthy products.
Conference listening session
A total of nine people attended the listening session, and approximately 20 others,
approached Regeneration North staff at other times throughout the two-day
conference to discuss the Alaska Needs Assessment and/or the National Seaweed
Organic Certification Alignment process. Of the nine who attended the listening
session, four were seaweed farmers, two represent national and international NGOs
promoting ecologically sound mariculture practices, one is a seaweed nursery
operator, and two are shellfish farmers. Table 8 provides a summary of comments
and questions from the conference.
Table 8: Comments received during Mariculture in Alaska Conference
Comments – Mariculture in Alaska Conference
Organic certification is not necessary for seaweed or shellfish because people
already put both in a “clean” category. People already trust both as clean, healthy
products. Experience with sustainable certifications show there is little or no
monetary value added, people seek it out only because it feels like the right thing
to do.
To most people organic certification means no inputs, which is by definition what
seaweed mariculture is. The decision to seek organic certification is ultimately a
business and philosophical decision, not one about practices. Its fully about
markets not farming practices in seaweed mariculture.

24

The process of deciding what included and/or excluded from the various types of
sustainable certifications tends to be political. Can we avoid that for seaweed
mariculture given the farming practices involve no inputs?
With regard to the National Seaweed Organic Certification Alignment
collaborative process, we heard from many in the industry who are proud that
seaweed mariculture practices are inherently ‘organic’, in that they require no
inputs of fertilizers, pesticides or freshwater, and who are optimistic that organic
certification could help expand markets.
Four seaweed farmers we had previously interviewed as part of the Alaska Needs
Assessment and who had indicated that organic certification was either not on
their radar or low on their list of priorities, said during the conference that they
had changed their minds and now better understood how and why organic
certification could be beneficial for their farm businesses.
Others repeatedly pointed out that farmers lack markets and questioned if the
whole industry oversold on prospect of existing and rapidly expanding markets.
One likened the current situation to hemp agriculture and markets 10 years ago,
with many farmers enticed into growing the crop based on the promise of many,
diverse markets but the expansion in production was premature relative to actual
markets.
Some commented on the overall tone of the 2024 Mariculture in Alaska
Conference relative to the 2023 conference, and how there was greater ‘buzz’ and
hope about seaweed in 2023, and much more caution about the lack of markets in
2024. Several people cited and discussed the market research conducted by
Macro Oceans and The McKinley Group that concluded that finding buyers to
absorb current production levels is already proving to be a challenge—which was
reflected in a nearly 30% drop in production between 2022-23 (Perkins 2023).
Several people had questions about organic certification for shellfish farms and
if/when the USDA NOP will pick up where it left off with the Aquaculture Working
Group 2007 recommendations.

VIII. Technical assistance, education, and workforce training for organic
certification
One of the primary objectives of this Needs Assessment is to understand what types
of technical assistance, education, workforce training and future human capital
planning are necessary and potentially available to facilitate a transition to broader
organic certification within the Alaska mariculture sector.

25

Table 9 summarizes ideas for technical assistance, education, and workforce
training to facilitate broader adoption of organic certification, obtained and
extrapolated from industry expert interviews. We have organized the ideas into the
same categories used for the barriers summarized in Table 7.
Table 9: Ideas for technical assistance, education, and workforce training
Barrier
Cost/is it worth
it?

Lack of buyers
for certified
organic product
(and buyers in
general)
Lack of in state
certifier

Technical assistance, education, and workforce training
suggestions
• Conduct additional research on markets for certified
organic seaweed and make current and reliable data
available to farmers so they can make informed decisions
about certification.
• Develop a program or mechanism to directly connect
Alaska’s certified farms to byers seeking certified seaweed.
• Provide information to farmers about USDA Cost Share
program.
• Develop additional funding programs to help defray initial
and annual costs of certification, especially for small farms
and disadvantaged farmers.
• Develop mechanisms to streamline certification within
regions, both based on the characteristics of the region and
to work more efficiently with groups of farmers within
those regions.
• Develop mechanisms to streamline annual inspections;
consider bi-annual inspections and/or interviews with
farmers.
• Ask the State of Alaska to recognize the market importance
of organic certification and reduce lease fees for certified
farms.
•

Work with the broader Alaska mariculture industry to
further invest in marketing of Alaska grown seaweed,
including certified organic. Build demand.

•

Train people to be certifiers and inspectors in each Alaska
mariculture region to address the needs of both seaweed
and soil-based farms. This could be part of a statewide
network of certifiers.
Provide adjacent training in HACCP and Alaska DEC
certification to fully meet farmers needs.

•

26

Lack of
knowledge
about the
process and/or
capacity to
investigate and
learn at this
time.

•

•
•

Uncertainty
•
about how
organic
certification is
being applied to
seaweed
•
mariculture
•
Lack of
processing
capacity and
organic
certified
processing
facilities

•

Develop a variety of farmer-oriented education programs
and opportunities focused on the costs, benefits and
process of obtaining organic certification.
o Those should focus on both “why certify” and “how
to certify”, and could include:
o Videos delivered through existing or new websites
and portals; flow charts and info graphics with all
the steps broken down; webinars through existing
or new series; “101” classes; and segments of
existing and new farmer-focused workshops,
conferences, trainings and courses.
Do preemptive outreach to get across the threshold to
action – make it easy for farmers to get started.
Peer-to-peer learning and/or mentoring: All farmers we
interviewed for this Needs Assessment indicated they
would be interested in and/or willing to participate in
peer-to-peer learning and/or mentoring, at least in theory.
o One industry expert we interviewed cautioned that
while peer-to-peer learning can be helpful, it is often
inherently “uneven, unreliable, and can be
inequitable”.
Include specific information, education and examples of
organic certification criteria and how organic certification
is being applied to seaweed mariculture in the
opportunities described in the above bullet under “lack of
knowledge”.
Work with USDA and certifiers to better adapt the
certification process to meet the needs and context of
seaweed mariculture.
Invest in research and development of methods for reliable
organic seed production.
Work with the broader Alaska mariculture industry to
further invest reliable processing capacity, including
facilities that are certified for organic production.

27

Emerging organizational support for transition to organic
Multiple institutions currently provide various types of support to the nascent
seaweed mariculture sector in Alaska. Due to the recent influx of state and federal
funding (see Initial Assessment and BBBRC below), all of these organizations are
actively conducting research into needs within the industry and/or developing new
programs to help build a robust mariculture sector. Following are brief summaries
of the missions and program/research areas of the organizations most relevant to
this Needs Assessment, with an emphasis on if and how they provide and/or
support technical assistance, education, and workforce training:
Southeast Conference/Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) – Southeast Conference,
the economic development district for Southeast Alaska, organized and leads the
AMC, a diverse partnership that was awarded $49 million in September 2022 in the
EDA’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) to promote seaweed and
shellfish mariculture in Alaska. The AMC’s support for mariculture development
falls within seven categories, some of which could potentially be applied to help
facilitate the transition to organic production, depending on demand, need, and
specific granting criteria. The two funding categories most aligned to support a
transition to organic production are:
•

Workforce Development ($10.5 M) – designed to provide support “through
education, learning, and skills development that are aligned with industry needs,
are broadly accessible, and culturally responsive. The approach includes six
goals that provide system development, program design, program
implementation and sustainability”

•

Market development ($1.2 M) –- with a goal to develop a four-year marketing
plan with detailed strategies for reaching buyers, consumers, wholesale and
retail food services, and chefs with promotions for Alaska Mariculture products
(seaweed and shellfish) and the overall brand. In late 2023 the AMC awarded a
contract to Food for Climate League to conduct current market research, which
is anticipated to include research on demand for certified organic seaweed that
should help inform transition to organic production.

Alaska Mariculture Alliance (AMA)- The AMA provides research, trainings and
resources to “develop and support a robust and sustainable mariculture industry for
the long-term benefit of Alaska’s economy, environment and communities”. Of most
relevance to a transition to organic certification are:

28

•

AMA’s work through their partner organization AMRTC (see below); and

•

Regional Mariculture Liaison program (funded by the AMC with BBBRC
funds). This program, initiated in 2023, supports five staff positions for four
years through partner organizations in the Southeast, PWS, Kenai Peninsula,
Kodiak and Southwest regions. The liaisons are tasked with providing
communication, connection and coordination services to underserved and
Alaska Native communities; facilitating access to resources within the
BBCRC; and supporting mariculture development efforts that meet local and
regional priorities.
The AMA is open to having the liaisons involved in programmatic support for
organic certification if and as that meets specific local and regional priorities.
The PWS liaison is currently supporting a local farm in their efforts to
become certified. However, this support might be relatively short term as
the program is currently funded only through 2027. The AMA has limited
staff capacity, but would potentially be interested in longer term
programmatic support for organic certification if funding were available.

•

Mariculture Conference of Alaska – an annual AMA-sponsored event which
provides an opportunity for outreach, education and information sharing.

The Alaska Mariculture Resource and Training Center (AMRTC) – An initiative
established in 2022 with a mission “to build partnerships and leverage resources to
facilitate and coordinate training, research and dissemination across disciplines (e.g.
biology, engineering, economics, marketing, food sciences, etc.) for better success of
industry and community development and to improve mariculture management”.
AMRTC is administered within the University of Alaska at Alaska Sea Grant, (a
partnership between UA and NOAA), and works closely with the AMA. AMRTC
addresses the research, trainings and workforce development priorities contained
in the 2021 final report of the Alaska Mariculture Task Force, as well as those of the
Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association Research Committee (2023).
As demand warrants, AMRTC indicated they would welcome the opportunity to help
support a transition to certified organic seaweed production in Alaska. Specific
opportunities for technical assistance, education and training that emerged through
interviews with AMRTC staff and other industry participants include:
•

•

AMRTC research library, which will launch in February 2024 at the
Mariculture Conference of Alaska (see below), and will contain a wide variety
of reference materials and information (e.g., training manuals, peer reviewed
articles, AFDF one pagers, instructional videos, etc.).
AMRTC instructional video series.

29

•
•

•

Trainings on demand – AMRTC & SeaGrant provide in-person trainings and
webinars that address a range of topics from a Foundations of Kelp Farming
course, to farmer co-ops and seaweed handling and food safety.
A train-the-trainers program/approach that AMRTC is launching in 2024 that
will be integrated into all of their trainings to facilitate information being
further disseminated to communities. Trainers will receive a box of supplies,
and access to other resources.
Other, related opportunities might exist through the Aquaculture Semester
course at UASE, and the UAA Environmental Studies program that also
currently addresses mariculture.

GreenWave – is a non-profit global network of regenerative ocean farmers with a
goal to “support 10,000 farmers, catalyzing the scaled planting of regenerative
ocean crops to yield meaningful economic and climate impacts”. To achieve scale,
they focus on two program areas: Training and Innovation:
•

•

Training includes their Ocean Farming Hub, and intensive farmer trainings.
The Hub is an active on-line platform for information exchange. Farmer
trainings include intensive in-person courses and a regular webinar series
accessed by people throughout North America and the world.
Innovation includes market development (which includes Seaweed Source –
an on-line platform connecting seaweed farmers and buyers), and research
and development, which includes a current study of the status of organic
certified seaweed seed production in North America.

GreenWave is actively working to support organic certification within the seaweed
mariculture industry and would be a logical collaborator for technical assistance,
education and training.
Native Conservancy (NC) – an Alaska-based non-profit “established in 2003 to
empower Alaska Native peoples to permanently protect and preserve endangered
habitats on their ancestral homelands”. A current central focus of NC is regenerative
ocean farming. Their Indigenous Ocean Farmer Immersion Program, Immersive
Training Technical Assistance has “assembled experts, cohorts and participants to
share practical information and experiences in the water, in the classroom and out
in the field”. The program merges “cultural and traditional experiences with handson training intended to be used and modified in real time”, and could be an
important venue for technical assistance, education and training on organic
certification, especially within Alaska Native communities.
Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) – their Alaska Mariculture
Initiative has been an integral part of growing the mariculture sector in Alaska
starting with the 2016 Alaska Mariculture Task Force. AFDF recently published a
Roadmap to Organic Certification fact sheet as part of a series focused on a variety

30

of mariculture-related topics. According to staff they don’t have any additional
projects or efforts related to organic certifications planned in the near term.
Conferences:
In addition to the annual AMA conference (see above) several other food and
agriculture/aquaculture related conferences provide opportunities for education,
outreach and information sharing, including:
• Alaska Food and Farm Festival – Presented every 18 months by the Alaska
Food Policy Council in communities around the state, this conference has
featured sessions on seaweed mariculture since 2019.
• Seagriculture USA – An annual conference focused on seaweed farming and
well-attended by the Alaska mariculture sector. This conference is held in
different US locations annually, and will be in Ketchikan, Alaska in September
2024.
• Aquaculture America – An annual national aquaculture conference and trade
show where seaweed mariculture is increasingly a focal topic; also wellattended by the Alaska mariculture sector.
IX. Potential next steps under the Transition to Organic Partnership Program
Potential next steps under the TOPP in the next 2-4 years include:
1. Develop partnerships to establish training and support programs/initiatives
As outlined above, several existing organizations are well positioned to provide
training and technical support for organic certification in the state. In particular. the
AMRTC has the aligned mission, structure and interest to partner with TOPP, and
GreenWave would be a logical collaborator for technical assistance, education and
training at both the state and national levels. Several suggestions from the
mariculture community (see Table 9: Ideas for technical assistance, education,
and workforce training) are especially well-aligned for a TOPP investment,
including:
o Developing farmer-oriented education programs and opportunities
focused on the costs, benefits and process of obtaining organic
certification.
o Proactive outreach to get across the threshold to action – making it easy
for farmers to get started.
o Establishing mechanisms for peer-to-peer learning and/or mentoring.
o In state certifier and inspector training.
2. Organic marketing and promotion partnerships

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Collaborate with the broader Alaska mariculture industry to further support
marketing efforts and help build awareness and demand for certified organic Alaska
grown seaweed. In particular, two current initiatives, the Alaska Mariculture
Cluster’s investments in market development, and the Kelp Values Project offer
unique potential opportunity for leveraged collaboration (see VI. Current and
emerging markets for Alaska grown kelp and implications for organic
production/p. 17 above).
3. Continued investment in the National Review and Alignment of Farmed Seaweed
Certification Protocols and Guidelines
The development of a national, unified set of guidelines and protocols based on the
principals of the NOP’s terrestrial standard for application to seaweed mariculture
(see IV. Overview of farmed seaweed organic certification) will help provide a
clearer certification process for seaweed mariculture. It will also help build
confidence within the industry in the integrity and durability of the organic label for
farmed seaweed.
X. Conclusions
The Alaska seaweed mariculture industry is both growing rapidly and in the process
of identifying and securing markets. The best-fit markets appear to be in high value
sectors that usually require organic product, however uncertainty exists with regard
to the rate and scale of growth in different markets, and to what degree emerging
high volume commodity markets will require organic certification. Further, other
uncertainties and concerns are paramount for many farmers, including insufficient
seaweed processing capacity, cost of operations, and the timing, scope and price
point for buyer demand. For those interested in organic certification, further
barriers include cost, logistics and lack of knowledge about the process.
Still, uptake of organic certification within the Alaska seaweed mariculture industry
is well underway, and based on market trends and Alaska’s specific context, most
indications are that a significant transition to organic production in the sector will
occur in the relative near-term. A successful national scale review and development
of consistent guidelines for organic certification specific to kelp mariculture will
further support a smooth transition to organic certification in Alaska. Fortunately,
several existing organizations are gearing up and well positioned to provide
technical assistance, education and training related to organic certification of
seaweed farms in Alaska.

32

References
Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (2023). “Roadmap to Organic
Certification for Seaweeds of Alaska”. https://afdf.org/research-library/roadmapto-organic-certification-for-seaweeds-of-alaska
Alaska Mariculture Task Force Final Report (2021). https://afdf.org/researchlibrary/final-report-to-governor-dunleavy
Alaska Mariculture Task Force (2019) https://seaweedhub.org/wpcontent/uploads/2020/04/Mariculture-Opportunities-for-Alaska-2019-07-30.pdf
Christian Brayden and Struan Coleman (2023). Maine Seaweed Benchmarking
Report. Maine Aquaculture Association, August 2023.
De Bhowmick G, Hayes M. (2023). Potential of Seaweeds to Mitigate Production of
Greenhouse Gases during Production of Ruminant Proteins. Glob Chall. 2023 Apr
8;7(5):2200145. doi: 10.1002/gch2.202200145. PMID: 37205931; PMCID:
PMC10190624.
Gleison de Souza Celente, Yixing Sui, Parag Acharya (2023). Seaweed as an
alternative protein source: Prospective protein extraction technologies. Innovative
Food Science & Emerging Technologies. Volume 86, 2023, 103374. ISSN 14668564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2023.103374.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S146685642300108X
Grebe Gretchen S., Carrie J. Byron, Adam St. Gelais, Dawn M. Kotowicz, Tollef K.
Olson (2019). An ecosystem approach to kelp aquaculture in the Americas and
Europe. Aquaculture Reports, Volume 15, 2019, 100215,ISSN 2352-5134,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2019.100215.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352513419300134
Hermans, Steven (2023). “2023 Seaweed State of the Industry”. Phyconomy,
published online January 7, 2023. https://phyconomy.net/articles/2022-seaweedreview/
Island Institute (2020). Edible Seaweed Market Analysis. Rockland, Maine.
JangKyun Kim, Michael Stekoll & Charles Yarish (2019). Opportunities, challenges
and future directions of open-water seaweed aquaculture in the United States.
Phycologia, 58:5, 446-461, DOI: 10.1080/00318884.2019.1625611
McKinley Research Group, LLC (2021). Alaska Seaweed Market Assessment: Prepared
for the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation.

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https://afdf.org/asset/6351530fe48f8/Alaska-Seaweed-Market-Assessment-202108-FINAL-CORRECTED.pdf.
Nichols, Amanda (2019). The State of Organic Aquaculture in the United States.
SeaGrant Law Center. https://nationalaglawcenter.org/wpcontent/uploads/2019/06/soaus.pd_.pdf
Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association Research Committee (2023)

Research Priorities

Perkins, Matthew (2023). “Alaska Kelp Harvest down 30% in 2023 as farmers wait
for markets to catch up.” Macro Oceans News, September 6. https://news.macrooceans.com/p/alaska-kelp-harvest-down-30-in-2023
Pew Research Center (2016). “The new food fights: U.S. public divides over food
science, 2. Americans’ views about and consumption of organic foods”. December 1,
2016. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2016/12/01/americans-viewsabout-and-consumption-of-organic-foods/
Prince William Sound Economic Development District (2023). Kelp Buyer Survey
2023. Obtained directly from PWSEDD.
The Nature Conservancy/Bain & Company (2023). “Analysis of Farmed Seaweed
Carbon Crediting and Novel Markets to Help Decarbonize Supply Chains”.
https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/SeaweedMarket
sAnalysis.pdf
Transparency Markets Research (accessed on-line 8/29/23). Organic Seaweed
Market- Global Industry Analysis – Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecasts – 20172025. https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/organic-seaweedmarket.html
USDA National Organic Program (2011). Guidance Wild Crop Harvesting:
www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/5022.pdf
World Bank (2023). Global Seaweed; New and Emerging Markets Report.
Washington, DC. World Bank.
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/environment/publication/global-seaweednew-and-emerging-markets-report-2023

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Appendix A
Alaska Needs Assessment Interview protocol
Following is the protocol used for interviews Alaska seaweed farmers and other industry
experts. We modified this text to address farmers who were known to have obtained or be
in the process of obtaining organic certification, have not pursued certification, and for
outreach to other industry experts according to their roles and areas of expertise.

1.

Email request for interview – sample email text:

Hello
[Insert professional or community connection]
I’m reaching out because I’m beginning work on an organic certification needs assessment for kelp
mariculture in Alaska, and I understand you are in the early stages of seeking certification for your
farm. I’m hoping you might have a little time to talk about your motivations and share any insights
you may have based on your experience with the certification process so far. Here’s the background:
The project is supported through the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP),
which falls under the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP). I became involved when
staff at the Northwest TOPP program reached out looking to engage in Alaska. Project objectives
include:
•
•
•
•
•

Build on existing seaweed marketing data and determine the type and scope of organicspecific market opportunities for Alaska producers.
Identify and estimate the value and potential barriers to certification for different seaweed
mariculture markets (livestock feed, human food, soil amendments).
Identify technical assistance needs for organic certification, training, workforce training and
development in Alaska.
Examine the Maine mariculture community organic transition for learning and models
applicable to Alaska.
Identify potential next steps under the TOPP program in the next 2-4 years.

I’d really value your input and to learn about your experience and insights. Might you have 30 or 40
minutes for a call sometime the week of _______?
Many thanks, [signed by Regeneration North team member]

2.

Telephone interview protocol
▪ Introductions
▪ Review goals and objectives of the project, referencing email request for interview
▪ Where is the farmer in the organic certification process (e.g., considering, in

process, certification complete) and which certifying agency are they working
with?
▪ What is the farmer’s primary motivation for obtaining certification?

35

▪ Has the farmer encountered specific buyer(s) that require organic certified kelp?
▪
▪

▪
▪
▪
▪

If so, is the farmer able to name the buyer(s)?
What has the farmer’s experience been to date? Any specific barriers
encountered? Anything that facilitated the process?
Is the farmer able to identify technical assistance, training, or workforce
development that would facilitate organic certification and the transition to
organic in Alaska?
Hypothetically, if a program were established, would the farmer consider
mentoring other farmers seeking organic certification in the future?
Any questions for the interviewer, or additional information the farmer thinks
would be helpful to this project?
Review project timeline and explain that all results will be publicly available in the
form of report.
Thank you

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Appendix B
Seaweed mariculture experts interviewed for the Alaska Needs Assessment
Notes:
1. Some people work in, and in their interviews provided perspectives from more than one
role in the seaweed mariculture sector (e.g., kelp farmer, organization providing support
to the mariculture industry, nursery, processor, etc.).
2. This list contains only those formally interviewed, and does not include the 20+ people
who contributed information and perspectives during the Mariculture in Alaska
conference, February 27-28, 2024 in Anchorage (see Appendix C).

Name

Affiliation(s)

Sean Den Adel

Noble Ocean Farms, Alutiiq Pride
Marine Institue

Markos Schear

Seagrove Kelp

Lexa Meyer

Alaska Ocean Farms,
Kodiak Kelp Company, Kodiak
Archipelago Leadership Institute

Nick Stern

Pacific Kelp Company

Czarina
Resurreccion

Blue Evolution

Farmer
Buyer/processor

Matthew Perkins

Macro Oceans

Buyer/processor

Kristin Carpenter
and Lindsey
Hammer
Sam Garwin and
Grace Collery
Juliana Melin and
Dan Lesh

Prince William Sound Economic
Development District

Mariculture support organization

GreenWave

Mariculture support organization

Southeast Conference

Mariculture support organization

Max Stanley

Barnacle Foods (via email)

Buyer/processor

Catherine O’Hare
and Avery Roser
Kathryn Caravano
Hannah Wilson

Daybreak Seaweed

Buyer/processor

Kachemak Kelp
Alaska Fisheries Development
Foundation (via email)
Spinnaker Ocean Farms
Alaska Mariculture Alliance

Buyer/processor

Fisherman Fresh, Alutiiq Pride
Marine Institute (Regional
Mariculture Liaison), Mothers of
Millions.

Farmer
Mariculture support organization
(Regional Mariculture Liaison)
Nursery

Lindsay Olsen
Jason Lessard
Briana Murphy

Role(s)/perspective provided in
seaweed mariculture sector
Farmer
Mariculture support organization
(Regional Mariculture Liaison)
Farmer
Farmer
Mariculture support organization
(Regional Mariculture Liaison)
Nursery
Farmer

Mariculture support organization
Farmer
Mariculture support organization

37

Michael Mahmood
Nick Mangini

Nursery
Farmer
Mariculture support organization

Mia Kirk

Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
Kodiak Island Sustainable
Seaweed, Southwest Alaska
Municipal Conference
Ebb Tide Ocean Farm
Windy Bay Kelp Farm (via email)
Koru and Kelp
SeaQuester Farm
SeaGrant/Alaska Mariculture
Training Center
Alaska Division of Agriculture

Pat Schnettler
Travis Bettinson

12 Tides
Blue Dot Kitchen

Buyer/processor
Buyer/processor

Rand Hagenstein
Thea Thomas
Tamsen Peeples
Jonny Antoni
Missy Good

Farmer
Farmer
Nursery
Farmer
Mariculture support organization
Mariculture support organization

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Appendix C

Organic Certification of farmed Kelp; Alaska Needs Assessment and
National Review and Alignment of Certification Protocols and
Guidelines
Abstract for presentation at Mariculture Conference of Alaska,
February 27-28, 2024, Anchorage, Alaska

Two related projects are underway in Alaska and nationally that are assessing needs, identifying
barriers and building a strong foundation for organic certification of farmed seaweed. The Alaska
Needs Assessment and the National Review and Alignment of Organic Certification Protocols
and Guidelines for Farmed Seaweed are being led by Regeneration North LLC and are supported
through the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), which falls under the
USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).
The objectives of the Alaska Needs Assessment are to determine the current and anticipated
market demand for organic certified farmed kelp from the state, to identify barriers to obtaining
certification, and depending on demand, to identify specific support mechanisms and
infrastructure to support Alaska kelp farms interested in obtaining organic certification.
Organic certification of seaweed farms is relatively new in the US. The goal of the National
Review and Alignment of Organic Certification Protocols and Guidelines for Farmed Seaweed is
to help build a solid foundation and ensure consistent implementation of organic certification
within the seaweed mariculture sector by developing a uniform set of protocols and guidelines for
organic certification of seaweed farms under the USDA National Organic Program. The review
and alignment process will be carried out by a collaborative cross-sector working group convened
under this project, including representatives of the organic certification and seaweed mariculture
industries and related agencies and organizations.
During this presentation we will introduce the two related projects, provide a status update and
timeline, and let the Alaska mariculture community know how to get involved.

39