Challenge
New ocean industries like offshore aquaculture and energy production offer exciting economic and environmental possibilities. With support from the Department of Energy, Ocean Rainforest—an innovator in sustainable seaweed aquaculture—was seeking a permit for a pilot-scale aquaculture demonstration farm, and needed to determine the best site for their needs.
Solution
Using multiple data sets from Marine Cadastre, they were able to complete a suitability study, which helped identify potential locations for offshore seaweed farms. Datasets like AIS vessel transit counts, danger and restricted zones, habitat areas of particular concern, and unexploded ordnances ensured the offshore locations wouldn’t conflict with other key ocean areas. With help from NOAA, they then obtained a permit, which is being used to test a variety of technologies that could help determine the scalability and economic viability of seaweed cultivation across the country.
