California officials allow plans for the country’s biggest kelp farm to move forward
The project could harvest up to 6,000 tons of kelp a year and support products for California farms, officials said.
- On Wednesday, The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to allow the United States' largest kelp farm 6 miles off the Southern California coast, marking a major approval for Ocean Rainforest.
- As the Trump administration seeks to promote commercial aquaculture, Ocean Rainforest plans to cultivate giant kelp on a roughly 3-square-mile stretch of federal waters to support California's avocado and strawberry farms.
- Ocean Rainforest plans to harvest 6,000 tons of kelp at full capacity, boosting local agriculture. Ventura officials welcomed the project, anticipating new jobs for the city of 100,000 people.
- Environmentalists expressed concerns regarding boat traffic and potential whale entanglement, though Cassidy Teufel, deputy director at The California Coastal Commission, noted the farm uses rigid lines. Ocean Rainforest and fishermen are working on an industry support fund.
- Construction could begin in 2027 under a phased approach requiring periodic reviews by the Army Corps of Engineers. This project represents part of a broader strategy to ramp up the United States seaweed industry, which currently lags behind Asia.
33 Articles
33 Articles
California Is Getting Country's Biggest Kelp Farm
California has long been farm country, and its oceans soon could be, too. State coastal officials voted Wednesday to allow a plan to build the United States' widet kelp farm 6 miles off the Southern California coast to move forward as the Trump administration seems to ramp up aquaculture in...
California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp f
California has long been farm country, and its oceans soon could be, too. State coastal officials voted Wednesday to allow a plan to build the United States’ largest kelp farm 6 miles (10 kilometers) off the Southern
Associated Press News
California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward
California has long been farm country, and its oceans soon could be, too. State coastal officials have voted to let a plan to build the United States’ largest kelp farm 6 miles off the Southern California coast move forward.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 68% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
