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BIDDEFORD, Maine

β€˜WCSH’ reports on ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ kelp research and its impact on the marine economy

ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ Marine Science researchers harvest sugar kelp from their experimental farm
ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ Marine Science researchers harvest sugar kelp from their experimental farm

A crew from WCSH tagged along as researchers from the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ’s Center for Excellence in Marine Sciences harvested sugar kelp from their research farm.

The ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ Macroalgae Nursery and Research Cluster has developed an efficient technique to grow kelp spores in the lab that can be transported to farms in the ocean where they grow during the winter months. It’s a growing global industry, and ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ is working to position Maine to lead the way in developing the most sophisticated growing techniques as well as developing the products that will ultimately create jobs and support the marine economy.

β€œOnce we begin to really know and communicate the health benefits of sea greens, people are going to flock to this,” said award winning chef and author Barton Seaver, who has recently joined ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ as a senior advisor for sustainable seafood.

β€œThe range of products in sea vegetables ranges in the hundreds,” said Barry Costa-Pierce, Ph.D., Henry L. & Grace Doherty Professor of Marine Sciences and chair of ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ’s Department of Marine Sciences.  β€œThere are hundreds of possible small businesses and tons of jobs right through the whole value chain.”

About the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ

The ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.