Kelp Nursery Operations Manual
and Resources
The Kelp Nursery Operations Manual distills GreenWave’s decade of commercial-scale kelp nursery operations—combining successful regional seed production with the development of solutions to network-wide challenges—into a practical, step-by-step guide for producing reliable, high-quality kelp seed.
This free resource draws on tested methods and proven nursery practices to help new and experienced operators strengthen kelp nursery systems, improve seed quality, and standardize practices across regions.
Inside, you’ll find guidance on:
Setting up nursery infrastructure and water processing systems
Preparing seed spools
Sourcing and processing sorus material for spools
Maintaining seed spools and preparing nutrient media
Contamination management
Managing and transporting seed orders
Referenced Resources
Ocean Farming Hub
The Hub is an online space for nursery operators, farmers, and processors to access training and connect with others in the seaweed community.
It includes:
Nursery-specific courses that expand on the methods outlined in this manual
A community forum to discuss nursery operations, troubleshooting, and best practices
Downloadable documents, tools, and templates referenced in the manual, like the Kelp Spore Density Calculator
Nursery Manual Videos
These demonstration videos are referenced in the manual to show a microscope and spoolerator in action.
