This research report shares findings from a two-year study on sugar kelp’s post-harvest physiology conducted by GreenWave in partnership with QFresh Lab. The research reveals that sugar kelp switches from photosynthesis to respiration after harvest, similar to land-based plants, with implications for storage and handling. Testing different container types showed that smaller, vented containers prevent quality degradation by allowing better temperature control and oxygen access compared to large-volume or airtight containers. For kelp farmers targeting retail and foodservice markets, these findings indicate that proper post-harvest handling can extend shelf life up to 14 days, helping reduce crop losses and maintain product quality throughout the supply chain.