Seaweed aquaculture expands in B.C. as regulations play catch

Off the coast of Vancouver Island, long ropes sway beneath the surface, heavy with glossy brown kelp leaves. For many, this is a crop of the future — a climate-friendly resource that could feed livestock, replace plastics, and generate income for coastal communities.

But as British Columbia moves toward large-scale seaweed farming, a critical question remains: who’s ensuring it’s done responsibly?

Seaweed aquaculture is expanding, supported by venture capital, government funding, and growing interest in “blue economy” jobs. Pilot farms are already harvesting kelp for use in food, cosmetics, and animal feed. Advocates believe the sector could grow into a billion-dollar industry along B.C.’s 25,000 kilometres of coastline.

Yet regulations guiding that growth remain fragmented and incomple