Seaweed farming and regenerative ocean farming offer food sovereignty solutions for the sea. Just as Regenerative agriculture demonstrates hopeful solutions for life on land.
Regenerative seaweed farming and marine aquaculture offer the chance to enhance regenerative food systems with equality. Through the creation of small-scale coastal underwater gardens. Starring seaweed as both a sustainable source of food and a store for carbon. Regenerating human health and reversing global warming.
11 BENEFITS OF SEAWEED & SEAWEED FARMING
SEAWEED REVERSES GLOBAL WARMING
Seaweed and seaweed farming helps reverse global warming. Because seaweed grows at a rate 30 to 60 times faster than land-based plants, it ‘eats’ more carbon than other plants as it grows. Thus, just by just existing it helps reverse global warming.
In a study by Yale University suggests that if we cover 9 percent of the world’s oceans in seaweed farms, we could draw down the equivalent of all our current emissions. While simultaneously growing enough protein to feed a population of 10 billion (9).
SEAWEED NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS
Sea vegetables are superfoods high in nutrients and rich in protein. They contain vitamins A, B, C and E and act as one of the few vegetable sources of vitamin B-12 (which most vegetarians and vegans have to supplement with manufactured product).
Seaweed is also rich in potassium, calcium, iodine and magnesium. And works against inflammation, tumours, obesity, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and other health issues. It is also a great source of omega-3s, because eating the plants fish eat offer some of the same benefits fish holds as a food source.
REDUCTION OF CULINARY COLONIALISM
Seaweed offers nutrients most ‘Westerners’ lean towards from imported foods. Reducing the ‘need’ for colonised ‘ghost acres‘ (acres of other people’s lands) ship vast quantities of ingredients consumed as ‘supplements’ to a wealthy westerner’s diet.
These acts of culinary colonialism essentially steal and exploit nutrients from lands belonging to other members of our species. Often, health foods we (white peoples) are fixated on, are integral ingredients in indigenous gastronomy.
As a result of our gluttonous Western habits, these foods (açaí, quinoa, avocado, banana, mango, ect) often end up over-harvested and farmed irresponsibly for mass consumption. Which reduces their benefits and pushes the ingredients out of reach for those whose lands they are grown on.
FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IN SEAWEED
Seaweed can be grown by anyone, anywhere. Supporting the fight for food sovereignty and food justice.
Food sovereignty and food justice demand base rights for all peoples to have access to healthy and culturally appropriate food. Which is unprocessed, nutritious, free of chemical pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and nitrogen fertilisers. And food produced using regenerative methods, which protect the earth and those who cultivate and consume its bounty.
SEAWEED AFFORESTATION OFFERS FOOD SECURITY
Seaweed afforestation helps create sustainable food systems. It is estimated that a network of small underwater farms, totalling the size of Washington state, could feed the planet. Kelp, a type of seaweed, grows with a swiftness unseen in most plant species – over one foot (30 centimetres) a day – a rate 30 to 60 times faster than land-based plants.
SEAWEED ENHANCES THE BIOSPHERE OF THE OCEAN
With each expression of its growth, seaweed reduces ocean acidification and aids in populating the biosphere of the ocean. In addition, sea permaculture systems serve as an artificial reef, which attracts more than 150 species of aquatic life. And (Re)homes the sea beings often displaced due to acidification and overfishing.
SEAWEED IS A BIOFUEL
Seaweed species hold incredible potential for zero-input biofuels. According to the Department of Energy, a network of farms half the size of Maine could replace all the fossil fuels used in the United States.
A DIET OF SEAWEED REDUCES METHANE PRODUCTION IN COWS
We can feed seaweed to livestock. Certain species of seaweed can be fed to bovines, reducing their methane production by up to 58 percent. Making seaweed and seaweed farming a powerful alternative to the degenerative feed we offer livestock.
SEAWEED OFFERS AN END TO AQUA MONOCULTURE & INDUSTRIAL FARMING
Just as monocultures are dangerous for life on land, and industrial aqua farming systems is dangerous for ocean life. Diversity of crops in the water through small-scale 3D farms enhances and enriches the ocean-bound biosphere. Humans hold the responsibility to move away from industrial plates of salmon and tuna which are overfished. Making space for wild fish to regenerate and enhancing local food systems. While diversifying our palettes with undiscovered ocean vegetables and shellfish instead.
JOB CREATION AND ANTI PRIVATISATION
Deprivatisation (and decolonisation) of our shores is key in ensuring aqua permaculture farmers can access affordable subleases of non-privatised aquaticland. Especially here in the UK where the shores are still in the ownership of The Crown. This will bring the use of coastlines to local control. And make it affordable and accessible for anyone who chooses to, to cultivate shellfish and seaweed.
Regenerative aquafarming is done with space for boats, fish, humans to pass through and above. Providing productive sources of food and carbon drawdown, while remaining accessible to all.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND REGENERATIVE SUSTAINABLE SEAWEED PRODUCTS?
FOOD PRODUCTS PRODUCED THROUGH REGENERATIVE SEAWEED FARMING
Mungo Murphy ( US / UK )
BEAUTY PRODUCTS PRODUCED THROUGH REGENERATIVE SEAWEED FARMING
Mungo Murphy ( US / UK )
PLEASE NOTE! It is important to understand that all of the wonderfulness below does not apply to conventionally cultivated seaweed. Only traditionally or regeneratively / sustainably cultivated seaweed farming.
IMAGE FROM: Adventures In Cooking, check out their recipe on seaweed pesto!
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