Project abstract purpose: global seaweed aquaculture production is the highest in asian countries where advances have been made in cultivar selection that improve biomass yields and nutritional…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $111,380 to the University of California San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography under the Sea Grant Support program (CFDA 11.417) on September 1, 2025, for a one-year performance period ending August 31, 2026. This Cooperative Agreement funds a collaborative knowledge exchange initiative between California Sea Grant at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) and the Marine Ecology and Green Aquaculture (MEGA) Laboratory at Incheon National University in South Korea. The project addresses the underdevelopment of the U.S. seaweed aquaculture industry, particularly in California where land-based cultivation is the only current viable production option, by facilitating transfer of advanced cultivar selection and tank-based cultivation technologies developed by South Korean researchers.

The primary deliverables include facilitated travel and knowledge exchange activities at the MEGA Laboratory, followed by dissemination of learnings through multiple outreach channels in 2026: a workshop at SIO, an online webinar for the broader community to be posted on the National Seaweed Hub website, intern training on advanced cultivation techniques and methods, presentations at scientific conferences, and a manuscript with recommendations for seaweed industry development. This collaborative approach establishes the foundation for long-term partnership between the institutions while building domestic capacity in seaweed aquaculture research and commercialization.

Activities

As such, the purpose of this proposal is to form a collaboration between california sea grant at scripps institution of oceanography (SIO) at ucsd and the marine ecology and green aquaculture (MEGA) laboratory at incheon national university in south korea who are leaders in seaweed aquaculture research. Travel to the MEGA lab will facilitate a knowledge exchange and teach attendees the cutting-edge technology and methods that can be brought back and applied at SIO and in CA more broadly.

Expected outcomes

This collaborative approach will foster a long-term knowledge exchange and collaboration. The learnings will be shared through several outreach and educational events in 2026. Specifically, a workshop will be held at SIO as well as an online webinar for the broader community to be deposited on the national seaweed hub website.

Intended beneficiaries

The findings will be further shared at scientific conferences and interns will be trained on the cultivation techniques and methods. Finally, a manuscript will be written with recommendations for the seaweed industry development in southern CA and beyond. Overall, this tech transfer will support the seaweed aquaculture industry as a whole and will help pave the way for new business opportunities in CA.

Subrecipient activities

No subrecipient activities are being proposed.