Back to: Gear Prep

Many of the items used in ocean farming have additional uses in other marine industries. When you’re looking to buy new gear, reach out to suppliers that service the commercial fishing industry or mooring installation businesses in your area. Describe the item you’re trying to source, and ask if they carry it; if they don’t, ask what they stock that’s similar. It can often be beneficial to develop a good relationship with a local supplier, as you’ll likely need to source a variety of gear. Some suppliers will give you a discount if you ask to open a business or wholesale account. If you live in a remote area, some local suppliers might be able to offer competitive shipping rates for bulky or heavy items. It pays to call around to a variety of suppliers and compare the cost of equipment after it’s been shipped to your farm site.

If you’re looking for gear online, Defender Marine, Seattle Marine, West Marine, Wholesale Marine, and Go2marine have large inventories. GreenWave orders its marker buoys from Rolyan Buoys.

To keep your startup costs as low as possible, we also recommend searching for used and repurposed gear as much as possible. Sometimes research institutions or commercial fishermen will sell used lines, buoys, or other gear cheaply. If you’re lucky, you might find some of your gear list items used on craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay.

GreenWave Tip

If you’re in search of old gear or have something to offer other farmers, post on the Bulletin Board in the Community.