FAQs

+ What is the time commitment for regenerative ocean farming?

If you are growing multiple species of seaweed and shellfish, regenerative ocean farming is a full-time job. Growing multiple species diversifies your economic opportunities, and decreases your reliance on the yield of a single crop. The more species you grow, the more time you will need to spend on the water tending to your crops.

Depending on the size of your farm, growing only kelp can be a part or full-time, seasonal job. Sugar kelp is a winter crop, seeded between October-December and harvested from April-June. Setting gear for the first time on a new farm may take one week or more, depending on farm size and gear type. You should anticipate visiting your farm and tending to your crop at least once per week for several hours throughout the farming season. Harvest may happen all in one day or over a series of days over a two to three week period.

Weather has a strong influence over winter working conditions. Anticipate that you might not be able to go out to your farm as scheduled when winter weather rolls through, and that you may need to spend extra time on your farm once a storm subsides--adjusting and mending your gear.

+ How long does it take to start a regenerative ocean farm?

It depends...on your experience level, lease and permit type, business plan, and state of residence. If you are a shellfish farmer, well-acquainted with aquaculture permitting processes and gear types, it may only take a few months to modify your permit and incorporate kelp into your operation. If you are starting from scratch, are unfamiliar with regenerative ocean farming, and just want to grow seaweed, it could take 4-18 months to secure a site and permit.

Permitting seaweed and shellfish simultaneously may take the same amount of time as permitting a single species. Permit revisions years down the road may not take as much time as your initial permit, but it is still a process. If growing multiple species is in your business plan, apply for permits that reflect that plan. On average, it takes 8-10 months to secure necessary permits in southern New England.

+ Why such a range?

Leasing and permitting processes may be site and species dependent, vary by state (and sometimes by town), and involve multiple agencies, such as your local shellfish commission and harbormaster; your state Bureau of Aquaculture, Division of Fisheries, Department of Marine Resources, or similar agency; and the Army Corps of Engineers and other federal regulators.

+ How much does it cost to start a regenerative ocean farm?

Total startup and annual costs for your farm will depend upon its size, type, and location, and can range anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 plus a boat. These costs vary state-to-state, and depend on existing local resources for farmers and the depth and exposure of your lease.

+ What species of seaweed does the GreenWave hatchery grow?

Saccharina latissima, also known as sugar kelp--a prolific and versatile coldwater seagreen (or, rather, brown macroalgae) that grows in northern waters across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

+ What do people do with the crops that they grow?

Farmers are also encouraged to cultivate and diversify their distribution network of buyers, ranging from restaurants and wholesalers to value-added producers and institutions. This range provides flexibility and leverage for farmers as the industry continues to grow.

+ How is regenerative ocean farming different from IMTA?

In the 1980s, a group of scientists and engineers met to define what multispecies ocean farming should be called. They came up with over 50 terms and settled on “Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture” or IMTA, for short. “Regenerative Ocean Farming” is GreenWave's simplified name for multispecies polyculture that incorporates seaweed and shellfish.

+ Are regenerative ocean farms hurricane proof?

Regenerative ocean farms are restorative and ecologically resilient, but not impenetrable to the forces of nature. Nor’easters, hurricanes, ice, and other extreme weather can damage your gear and your crops. Over time, as you learn your site and improve your farming techniques, you may figure out how to modify your gear to make it less susceptible to storm surges and other conditions.

As a farmer-in-training, we will help you think through the tools and techniques you need to increase the resilience of your operation.