Seaweed farming is helpful in many ways, but there are some challenges we need to think about. Just like with any type of farming, we are responsible for making sure we keep the surrounding environment safe. Here are some things we need to think about before setting up a farm!

Animals Getting Stuck

Animals like turtles, whales, or fish could swim into the ropes of seaweed farms and get tangled or stuck!

A sea turtle swimming near ropes covered in seaweed.

Changing the Ocean Habitat

Very large seaweed farms can block sunlight from reaching other plants, like seagrass, which also need light to grow. This can eventually affect the animals that rely on those plants for food or shelter.

An underwater seaweed farm with large bunches of seaweed hanging from ropes. The sunlight is partly blocked by the seaweed, creating shadows on the ocean floor where other plants are growing.