Kelp and Seaweed Aquaculture: Animal Welfare Implications

Seaweed farming is expanding rapidly as a sustainable food and feed source, but it also affects the welfare of wild animals living in and around farmed seaweed habitats.

Key Facts

Global seaweed production exceeds 35 million tonnes annually, mostly in Asia
Seaweed farming can provide habitat for invertebrates, fish, and marine mammals
Entanglement in seaweed farm ropes and equipment poses risks to marine wildlife
Sea otters, seals, and cetaceans can interact with seaweed farms in complex ways
Seaweed farms may reduce localised ocean acidification, benefiting shellfish and coral
Unlike fish or shellfish aquaculture, seaweed itself has no welfare status as a non-sentient organism
Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) combines seaweed with fish/shellfish farming

Welfare Considerations

Seaweed aquaculture is genuinely one of the most environmentally benign forms of food production, but it is not without animal welfare implications. The primary concern is wildlife entanglement and habitat disruption. Marine mammals, seabirds, and diving birds can become entangled in mooring ropes and nets associated with seaweed farms. In IMTA systems, the welfare of co-farmed animals such as shellfish or fish must be considered. Well-designed seaweed farms with wildlife-safe equipment and sited away from critical wildlife areas can coexist with marine biodiversity. As the seaweed farming sector expands, proactive wildlife welfare considerations in farm design are essential.

What You Can Do

Support seaweed aquaculture certification schemes that include wildlife protection requirements
Advocate for IMTA systems to include welfare standards for all co-farmed species
Encourage research into entanglement-safe seaweed farm equipment design
Choose seaweed products from certified sustainable producers
Support expansion of seaweed farming as a low-welfare-impact protein alternative to meat