Tropical Seaweed Field Sites
To determine the scalability of our farm system and algal biomass, we have selected three sites representing three different tropical environments: Florida (seasonally variable), Puerto Rico (low seasonal variability), and Belize (low terrestrial inputs). Working with NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, we developed site suitability assessments for the Gulf Coast of Florida and the US Caribbean to determine where seaweed farms could be deployed with little or no conflict with other uses.
Team: Aaron Welch, Two Docks Shellfish
Through partnership with a local business (Two Docks Shellfish), we will test the performance of our system and biomass at higher latitudes where water temperature, salinity, and light availability are much more variable seasonally. We will leverage Two Docks’ broad experience in fish and shellfish hatchery operations, shellfish growout and culture, environmental monitoring, and regulatory compliance, as well as their extensive knowledge of the environmental conditions in SW Florida.
Team: Julio Morell, CariCOOS
Puerto Rico has stable warm temperatures and ample sunlight year-round, as well as a wide range of exposure to prevailing winds and waves, making it an ideal test bed to understand the influence of environmental conditions on biological, physiological, and chemical properties of cultivated macroalgae. We have teamed up with the Caribbean Coastal Ocean and Observing System (CariCOOS) who operate a network of observing assets around Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (i.e., data buoys, coastal meteorological stations, vessels, instruments, and radars) to leverage the rich database of coastal ocean data they have collected and their expert knowledge of local sites and weather conditions.
Team: Robert Jones, Tiffany Waters, Julie Robinson, TNC
The Nature Conservancy has been working with fishing communities in Belize to develop sustainable seaweed aquaculture that provides new economic opportunities and supports a healthy ecosystem (see here for more info). Our partnership will not only allow us to test the performance of our farm systems in low-nutrient, blue-water conditions, but we will better understand the needs of transitioning from artisanal cultivation to large-scale operations.
