Across Europe’s rugged coastlines, a quiet transformation is underway. It’s green, regenerative, and driven by seaweed.
Seaweed farming in Europe is stepping into the spotlight. Demand is projected to surge – from 270,000 tonnes in 2019 to 8 million by 2030 – potentially unlocking €9 billion in economic value, 115,000 jobs, and the power to slash 5.4 million tonnes of CO2, according to Seaweed for Europe.
This ambition aligns closely with broader EU strategies, including the Farm to Fork and the Blue Economy strategy, and the EU’s specific algae sector approach, which emphasises algae as a key resource for food security and environmental sustainability.
Turning policy into practice
One project leading this transformation is C-FAARER, part of Mission Ocean and Waters. Focused on advancing community-driven regenerative ocean farming, particularly in the Atlantic and Arctic regions, the initiative supports the Mission’s goal of creating a carbon-neutral, circular and sustainable blue economy. As it nears completion, C-FAARER’s success is evident, with the project recently receiving the 2024 Atlantic Project Award in recognition of its contribution to ocean health and coastal resilience.
C-FAARER brought together Norway, the continent’s leading seaweed producer, and Ireland, where the sector is still emerging. Through close collaboration and knowledge exchange facilitated by partners like the Norwegian Seaweed Association, the project generated valuable insights to help seaweed businesses thrive while adopting sustainable, regenerative practices.
C-FAARER focused on practical challenges faced by the industry: how to scale up production and ensure environmentally sound business models. Feasibility studies and a practical self-assessment tool were developed to guide farmers and businesses in setting clear, regenerative goals. A comprehensive roadmap based on these findings will be published in mid-2025 to serve as a guide for seaweed entrepreneurs across Europe, mapping out the ecological and business challenges of regenerative aquaculture – and how to overcome them.
The power of community
Beyond research, C-FAARER created something that may prove even more powerful: connection. Seaweed farmers often work in isolation, scattered along distant coastlines. So the project built bridges – hybrid workshops and the Regenerative Ocean Farming and Production Community, an online hub that quickly became a lifeline for new and experienced farmers alike. Participation online and in-person exceeded expectations, revealing a passionate, engaged community hungry for connection.
‘This is a new industry that keeps people connected to the coast and rooted in their communities,’ said Professor Nessa O’Connor of Trinity College Dublin, a project partner, emphasising the socio-economic benefits of the sector. ‘Seaweed farming gives communities a future. It’s sustainable, and it’s helping young people stay rooted in their regions.’
A lasting legacy
One of the project’s most tangible legacy is the creation of the Irish Seaweed Association (ISA) – a vibrant new network born directly out of C-FAARER’s work. Bringing together farmers, processors, product developers, retailers and environmental groups, the ISA is now helping to shape the future of the seaweed industry in Ireland through collaboration, knowledge sharing and advocacy.
But the team behind C-FAARER is thinking even bigger. They envision an ‘Atlantic arc’ – a powerful alliance of ocean farmers from Norway to Portugal, all cultivating similar species and working toward a common goal: scale. ‘The farmers themselves cannot pull this off alone,’ says Dr Dharm Kapletia, Coordinator of C-FAARER. ‘We need alliances. We need to go beyond national boundaries to join forces and achieve the volumes necessary to become more economically viable and deliver environmentally beneficial impacts.’
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