Environment & Climate
California regulators advance plans for nation's largest offshore kelp farm
ABC News reports that coastal officials approved a commercial seaweed venture in federal waters off Southern California.
The short version
- California coastal regulators approved plans to construct the country's largest kelp farm six miles off the Southern California coast.[ABC News]
- Ocean Rainforest aims to cultivate giant kelp across three square miles to manufacture agricultural soil and plant products.[ABC News]
- Conservationists raised concerns regarding boat traffic disruption and whale entanglements in the farm's cultivation lines.[ABC News]
- Construction could begin in 2027, with the developer planning a gradual expansion toward a 6,000-ton harvest capacity.[ABC News]
Key facts
- State coastal regulators approved Ocean Rainforest's plan to construct the largest commercial kelp farm in the United States.[ABC News]
- The project spans roughly three square miles of federal waters situated six miles off the coast of Southern California.[ABC News]
- The harvested giant kelp is intended to supply soil and plant health products for regional strawberry fields and avocado groves.[ABC News]
- Ocean Rainforest stated it intends to build out the site over ten years to reach a peak annual yield of up to 6,000 tons.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.