January 2024 Update
Education and inspiration around the practice of seaweed farming is a part of our mission. We have reached out to a variety of professors and other educators at universities, trade schools and secondary schools to come to their classes and talk about seaweed and regenerative ocean farming. So far, the response has been tremendous. If you or a group that you’re a part of want to learn more don’t hesitate to reach out.
We have all of our permits and approvals (from 8 different agencies!) but are still awaiting our lease from the Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR). In Washington, the state owns virtually all of the water (actually, they own the land under the water) with Native Tribes having Usual and Accustomed (U&A) Rights based on historical usage. DNR manages the land. Seaweed farming is a relatively new practice in Washington so DNR didn’t have a fully formed lease including stewardship policies, rates, duration, etc until November of 2023. Two leases have been executed so far (Lummi Island Sea Greens and Blue Dot Sea Farms) and we’re anticipating being the 3rd in early 2024.
In the PNW, the seaweed season is from November to April. Unfortunately, we missed the 2023/24 seaweed planting/growing season. We grew seed stock in our hatchery and were ready to plant but without the lease we were unable to move forward.
While this was disappointed we are undaunted and once we have executed the lease we will move forward putting the farm infrastructure (anchors, lines, buoys) in the water along with shellfish cages. Oyster, clams, and mussels mature in 12-18 months so getting a jump on that will be good.
As previously mentioned, in early 2023 a local non-profit appealed the permit that we obtained by the County for the farm. We had a seven day hearing before the Shoreline Hearings Board (SHB) in May 2023. All of the allegations levied against our plans were deemed to be without merit as the SHB ruled unanimously in our favor. The non-profit has appealed this decision, as is there prerogative, and it will be heard by an Appeals Court judge sometime in 2024. We fully expect to prevail.