Washington Seaweed Aquaculture Economic Potential Analysis

Bull kelp is cultivated in Alaska and British Columbia and could be processed in Washington.

Evaluating how targeted investments can scale the state seaweed industry and processing infrastructure.

Washington has the coastal waters, shipping access, and seafood-processing base to support a thriving seaweed farming sector, yet the industry is still emerging. Maritime Blue commissioned an economic potential analysis to quantify growth opportunities and identify targeted investments to support long-term regional development.

Greene Economics partnered with Confluence Environmental Company to assess ocean‑based production, the seaweed supply chain, and processing infrastructure. The team reviewed research on Washington’s seaweed industry and interviewed regional growers, industry participants, and other stakeholders to characterize market conditions. We developed four 10-year development scenarios—including a business-as-usual baseline—and used IMPLAN to estimate employment, economic output, and tax revenues after 10 years.

The analysis found that investing in secondary processing infrastructure—such as drying, freezing, and milling—would deliver the greatest economic impact. Expanded capacity could position Washington as a West Coast processing hub, aggregating local harvests with supply from Alaska and British Columbia. This scenario generated more jobs and tax revenue than the alternatives while creating more stable market opportunities for small-scale farms.

Three priorities emerged: secondary-processing investment, streamlined permitting for new farms, and market development for Washington-grown seaweed. Maritime Blue used the findings to shape an industry growth roadmap and prioritize research, investment, and collaboration.

Read the full economic potential analysis.