Determine the technical aspects and economic feasibility of growing
native seaweed in the Santa Barbara Channel.
native seaweed in the Santa Barbara Channel.
Objectives
- Identify southern California candidate seaweed species and the appropriate cultivation methods.
- Determine key factors that influence economic feasibility in each species-farm system through the use of a bioeconomic model.
- Preliminary investigation of incorporating seaweed into our client's existing mussel farm.
Goals
In the context of the greater Santa Barbara community, we hope our work will promote sustainable local aquaculture, which can reduce our global environmental footprint from importing seaweed. Through this project, we aim to advance seaweed aquaculture in Southern California by testing and developing a model to evaluate potential economic benefits to farmers, and the environment. Several types of farm systems will be evaluated: monoculture, co-culture, onshore, and offshore. Limited information on local seaweed species exist regarding growth rates under different environmental conditions, such as nutrient availability and photoperiod. This project will help address this gap, and contribute toward larger regional efforts of increasing local food production, while working to reduce environmental impacts.