A question we often get is "There's so much wild kelp in the oceans - why spend the time growing it?" And while harvesting the natural kelp beds might seem like the easiest option, its actually not the best option - for a few reasons.
Natural kelp beds, like the one pictured above, are under a lot of pressure: pressure from warming waters that inhibit their growth, pressure from invasive species that eat away at the kelp, and pressure from those who harvest the kelp beds.
While this method has been practiced by coastal communities for generations, it is unable to sustain the rising global demand for kelp. If wild kelp is harvested faster than it can grow back, populations can be depleted over time and the health of the entire kelp forest ecosystem can be threatened. Harvesting also harms the many species that depend on kelp forests for food and shelter including sea otters, fish, octopuses, and invertebrates.
At Pacific Kelp Co., we cultivate kelp as a profitable and sustainable alternative to wild harvest. Unlike wild harvesters who negotiate for limited resources, we have control over the new patches of kelp we’ve grown - allowing us to manage the beds to protect against the effects of warming waters and invasive species. Cultivating kelp satisfies rising customer demand, reduces pressure on wild populations, and allows kelp forests to recover.
Learn more about how scientists are tracking the impacts of wild harvesting here.
R&D Work: Back in the lab
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