kelp photo
Image by Rory MacNish

Kelp Aquaculture Feasibility Study

kelp string deployment 1

Kelp Aquaculture Feasibility Study

Kelp

Kelp and eelgrass

Kelp Aquaculture Feasibility Study

Funded by Suffolk County Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program
and Land Stewardship Initiative

Seaweed aquaculture is an emerging “green industry” that has the potential to benefit our region, both environmentally and economically. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County has recently become involved in a project called “The Peconic Estuary Seaweed Aquaculture Feasibility Study.” Two main goals of this study are to determine the viability of commercial seaweed farming in our local waters, and to analyze the interest and demand for kelp products in local markets.

Eelgrass, kelp and other macroalgae off of Fisher's Island, NY. kelp string deployment 1 Kelp

Currently, as part of this pilot study conducted in collaboration with The University of Connecticut, kelp is being grown throughout five locations within the Peconic Estuary to examine how well the species grows in our waters. Kelp improves water quality by extracting excess nutrients and it is a sustainable, renewable product. There are a variety of practical uses for kelp products, ranging from health and beauty to supplements and food. Our study aims to specifically focus on the potential for kelp utilization in three distinct local industries, culinary, cosmetics, and agricultural.

Download Kelp Fact Sheet

Kelp Fact Sheet General

Learn more about this project on our blog here: https://cceonthewater.org/

Last updated May 26, 2022