Document Type

Other

Publication Title

Aquaculture in Shared Waters Fact Sheet

Publisher

Island Institute

Publication Date

7-2016

Publisher location

Rockland, Maine

Abstract/ Summary

“Kelp” are large brown marine macroalgae species native to New England and traditionally wild harvested for food. There are three commercially important kelp species in Maine—sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima), winged kelp (Alaria esculenta), and horsetail kelp (Laminaria digitata). Maine is developing techniques for culturing kelp on sea farms as a way for fishermen and farmers to diversify their operations while providing a unique, high quality, nutritious vegetable seafood for new and existing markets. Kelp is grown on submerged horizontal long lines on leased sea farms from September to May, making it a “winter crop” for Maine. The simple farm design, winter season, and relatively low startup costs allow for new and existing sea farmers to experiment with this newly developing type of aquaculture on Maine’s coast.

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