The Yulgilbar Foundation Churchill Fellowship to investigate appropriate methods for introducing kelp farming aquaculture to Australia

Kelp farming is used extensively overseas and at this stage (2018) there are no ocean based seaweed aquaculture farms in Australia. This project will investigate kelp farming operations overseas with a view to developing Australia's first kelp farm. I am the owner of Australia's first seaweed business with a wild harvesting permit. Demand for our products has significantly increased as awareness of the many uses and benefits of kelp grows (e.g. in functional food/health supplements, cosmetics, agricultural feed and fertiliser). Kelp farming will ensure a consistent supply to meet increasing demand, for the benefit of all Australians, as well as providing regional employment.

Keywords: kelp farming, restorative farming, marine permaculture, zero input, gametophytes, sporophytes, hatchery, carbon negative, carbon sequestration, blue economy