Courses / Introduction to Kelp Hatcheries

Course Content

What is a Kelp Hatchery?
Welcome Hatchery Basics
What Do Kelp Hatcheries Look Like?
Take a Tour of Different Kelp Hatcheries
What Is the Kelp Hatchery Timeline?
Short and Sweet
What Are the Permitting Requirements in My State?
Know Your Regulations
What Are Your Hatchery Goals?
Define Your Goals Location Production Goals
How Much Will This Cost?
Ballpark Numbers Create Your Own Budget Pricing Structure and Sales Strategy!
Resources & Tools
Kelp Hatchery Forum
Kelp Nursery Budget Calculator
Download file
Small Kelp Nursery Equipment Price List
Download file
Lesson 4 What Are the Permitting Requirements in My State?

Back to: Introduction to Kelp Hatcheries

Know Your Regulations

Permits for hatchery operations are put in place to ensure that responsible decisions are made during each step of the process. Such considerations include:

Permit Considerations

  • Avoiding the disruption or overharvesting of wild kelp beds and natural seed stock during sorus collection

  • Not polluting or contaminating coastal waters with discharge coming from hatchery facilities 

  • Ensuring the farmers who receive your seed have the permission to grow it in their area

The permits required for operating a kelp hatchery vary from state to state, so it’s best to check in with your local agencies to be sure that you have all the documents you need in place prior to your first growing season. 

Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council
Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Choose your state from the list below to check what agency you should reach out to in order to get started. If seaweed farming isn’t currently permitted in your state, introduce yourself in the Introductions + Connections topic in the Community to connect with other folks who might have more information on whether regulations are progressing in your region.

Agency List

AL

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ACDNR)

Note: Alabama does not have a formal process for seaweed farming. Currently, regulators are deciding if the process should follow that of shellfish operations or be evaluated separately
AK

Department of of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
CA

Coastal Commission (CCC)
CT

Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Aquaculture (CT DA/BA)
DE

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)

Note: At this time, DNREC has no legal authority to grant leases or permits for seaweed farming. The agency’s purview only covers oyster and clam farming.

FL

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture (FDACS)

Note: There is currently no licensing program for seaweed farming in the state of Florida, but FDACS and US Army Corps of Engineers are developing a permit process that, if approved, would be the same process in place for shellfish farming.

GA

Department of Agriculture (GDA)

Note: Georgia currently has no regulatory process in place for seaweed farming.
HI

Department of of Land and Natural Resources (DNLNR)
LA

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)

Note: There is currently no regulatory infrastructure in place for seaweed farming.
ME

Department of Marine Resources – Aquaculture Division (DMR)
MD

MD Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Note: There are currently no active seaweed farms in Maryland.
MA

Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF)
MS

Department of of Marine Resources (MDMR)

Note: There is currently no regulatory infrastructure to permit seaweed farming in Mississippi.
NH

Department of of Fish and Game (DFG)
NJ

New Jersey Department of of Agriculture, Office of Aquaculture Coordination (NJDA-OAC)

Note: NJDA-OAC is open to the idea of starting to regulate seaweed farming through research permits (similar to New York’s current policy), which may lead to official commercial seaweed permits pending successful results.

NY

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Division of Marine Resources 

Note: Seaweed aquaculture is only permitted for research purposes at this time.

NC

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Marine Fisheries Division (DMF)

Note: There are currently no permitted seaweed farms in North Carolina.
OR

Department of Agriculture (ODA) (shellfish only)

RI

Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC)
SC

Department of of Natural Resources (SCDNR) (shellfish only)

Note: There are currently no permitted seaweed farms in South Carolina, yet the state is willing to entertain applicants.
TX

Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) (shellfish only)
VA

Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) 

Note: There are currently no permitted seaweed farms in Virginia.
WA

State Department of of Natural Resources (DNR)