To put the idea to the test, sugar kelp was cultivated at a 2.5-acre site north of the Hood Canal Bridge leased by Blue Dot Sea Farms (formerly Hood Canal Mariculture). During the growing season, kelp consumed carbon dioxide and nitrogen from the surrounding seawater - the same way that trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When harvested, the carbon and nitrogen that were removed from the marine environment were transformed into a variety of products.

On the assessment side, scientists at University of Washington, NOAA, and Washington Department of Natural Resources measured the effects of kelp cultivation on pH, carbonate chemistry, biology, and fish utilization. Data were then integrated into a computer model created by System Science Applications to visually illustrate the effect of kelp on seawater conditions (find the model here: http://runeasy.org/exhibits.html). On hand to help with kelp analysis and outreach was an Advisory Team packed with kelp experts and an OA specialist with Washington Sea Grant.

During the first year of full-scale cultivation and assessment in 2017, 14,000 lbs. of kelp was harvested in July and transported to SkyRoot Farm on Whidbey Island for direct soil enrichment trials. A second year of full-scale cultivation and assessment was completed in 2018. If you've read this and think kelp farming is exciting, it is! While kelp farming is in still in early days in Washington, look to Maine for more stories of kelp farming in action. And explore our Summary of Findings via the link in the Introductory paragraph to learn more from our investigation into the power of kelp!