Author: Trixie Betz

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6 Things You May Not Know About Kelp

Kelp is a fascinating type of oceanic vegetation that has many uses. According to the World Wildlife Fund, seaweed production, including kelp, has doubled in the last decade. This is due in large part to the discovery of new uses for kelp. Here are a few fun facts about this amazing plant that you might not know about.

Kelp Is Not a Plant

Kelp is actually a highly nutritious type of seaweed. Surprisingly, kelp is NOT a plant but is instead an algae and a member of the Protist kingdom. It’s also sometimes called brown algae, although it looks more similar to a tree when it’s growing underwater. Kelp grows all over the globe. Kelp farming, however, has grown into a booming industry in the last decade. Wild kelp can be found in Australia, Africa, South America, North America, and even Antarctica.

Kelp Grows Well in Cool, Shallow Water

One of the reasons why kelp can grow in places like Antarctica is because it likes cool environments. In fact, kelp grows best in cool water where it can develop its nutrient-dense leaves. Kelp also likes shallow water because it needs a good amount of sunlight to grow abundantly. Depths of at least 7 feet are ideal, though kelp lines can be submerged deeper than that. 

Kelp Has No Roots

Although it may look like it, kelp actually has no roots. Instead of roots, kelp has something called a holdfast that keeps it attached firmly to a solid structure, like rocks. A holdfast doesn’t absorb nutrients the same way roots do, so the kelp fronds do this job instead.

Kelp Grows Quickly

Kelp can grow quickly in the right conditions, and this helps make kelp farming a lucrative career. Sugar kelp grows especially quickly, as much as 1 cm per day and can reach over 15 feet in just a few months. 

Kelp Is Home to Marine Life

Not only is kelp a nutritious source of food, but it also provides a rich environment for marine life to live in. Many creatures live in kelp, and larger animals such as sea lions, terns, whales, seals, and gulls use kelp as food. 

Kelp Farming Is Good for the Environment

Not only is kelp beneficial for humans, farmers, and sea creatures, but it can also help fight global warming. Kelp absorbs carbon dioxide from the seawater, which helps to minimize the negative impacts of climate change.

Kelp is an incredible plant that offers numerous practical benefits. If you’re interested in kelp farming, contact the Maine Aquaculture Association today to learn more about how our services can benefit you. We look forward to assisting you!

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4 Economic Benefits of Aquaculture

Tanks at an aquaculture facility

People enjoy farmed seafood around the world as part of their diet and for health reasons, but aquatic farming also has many economic benefits. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, this type of economy helps to produce over 20 million jobs around the world. Read on for more economic benefits of aquaculture here in Maine and the US.

Climate-Friendly Nutrition

Seafood is an essential component of global food security, providing an important source of high-quality protein and healthy fats to humans all around the world. Seafood also requires fewer resources to produce than land-based animal protein. As the climate changes and we look to our food system to meet the growing global demand for protein while minimizing our environmental impact, both wild and farmed seafood will be part of the solution. 

Green Careers

Aquaculture presents many exciting career opportunities for people with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. Particularly in rural communities, aquaculture has demonstrated a unique ability to revitalize working waterfronts and keep young people employed with living wages. Young people who are facing an uncertain future due to climate change are seeking “green careers” that allow them to play an active role in developing climate change solutions. Skills in seamanship, marine trades, engineering, product development, marketing, research, and other areas are needed. 

Ecological Conservation

While many sustainable wild fisheries exist all around the world, sourcing fish from aquaculture operations greatly reduces pressure from wild fish stocks. This is the case for Maine, where native, wild Atlantic Salmon are endangered. Producing fish in a controlled environment through aquaculture can help maintain biodiversity while ensuring that fish are happy, healthy, and safe to eat. Furthermore, significant advances have been made in fish feed technology, with the majority of feed ingredients coming from plant-based sources as opposed to wild fish meal. Feed innovation has revolutionized the aquaculture sector and greatly reduced its global ecological footprint. In addition, species that do not require feed, like bivalves and seaweeds, remove excess nutrients from the water, creating a net benefit for water quality. 

Local Food Production

Aquaculture operations in Maine contribute significantly to our state’s seafood economy by supplying the local and domestic markets with fresh, high-quality seafood. The United States currently imports over 85 percent of the seafood we consume, so increasing domestic aquaculture production not only reduces our trade deficit but also helps us reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to seafood imports. 

The economic benefits of aquaculture are vast. It creates jobs and a reliable food supply and helps preserve wildlife and working waterfronts. Fish is a healthy, climate-friendly source of protein that can help people around the world maintain a healthy diet. If you want to learn more about the aquaculture sector and its benefits for you, we encourage you to sign up for our email newsletter.