Atlantic Sea Farms

Jesse Baines

VP of Marketing & Strategy

Website

Number of operations

1 (nursery and processing facility)

In operation

Since 2018

License grantors

Maine State Department of Marine Resources

Production methods

Horizontal Longlines

Species

Sugar Kelp
Skinny Kelp

Certifications

Non-GMO Project Verified
Gulf of Maine Sustainably Harvested
MBA Seafood Watch – Green Rated

USA | Maine | Saco

Atlantic Sea Farms

Location

Saco, Maine, 04005

Regional Challenges

Maine Lobster Industry Volatility
Regional warming in Gulf of Maine

Treats workers with respect and fairness; Advances gender equality and women’s empowerment

Do you provide health care or equivalent?

Yes and offer other benefits

Please check all that describe your working conditions and workplace expectations

Pay Fair & competitive wages
Conduct Workplace hazard and safety analysis/audit
Workplace Trainings (safety, environmental, or social)
No bonded, forced labor, trafficking, or child labor
Established Grievance Process
Allow/do not inhibit Collective Bargaining

How do you further gender equality and women’s empowerment?

Ensure pay equity
Equal Opportunity hiring and access to advancement or leadership positions
Sufficient Maternity/Paternity Leave

Do you engage in mentorship?

Yes.

Do you mentor people from traditionally underserved, marginalized, or unsupported groups?

Women and/or gender non-binary people

Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change

What are you doing to address emissions associated with transportation?

Sell 80% or more of product locally <100 miles

Are you using or transitioning to renewable energy sources?

Not using renewable energy

Are you growing seaweed for livestock feed additives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Yes.

Are you monitoring or conducting research into carbon uptake by seaweeds?

Yes.

Supports Global Ecosystems and Coexists with Wildlife

What measures do you put in place to limit entanglement or impact on wildlife?

Reduce lines in the water
Site lines close to shore

How does your operation impact the local environment?

Improve biodiversity
Actively create habitat
Other (Reduces pH, mitigating effects of ocean acidification)

Do you support or lead any habitat or ecosystem restoration projects?

Yes. Measuring and studying the effects of reduced pH on bivalves and shell bearing organisms within the health halo of our partner kelp farms. Additionally, we work with partners to monitor the increased level of biodiversity within the health halo of our partner kelp farms.

Do you work with researchers and scientists to study the impact of seaweed farming?

Yes.

What do you monitor?

Nutrient Uptake
Ocean acidification

Do you use seaweed in tandem with other seafood production operations (shellfish or finfish?)

No.

Builds resilience and opportunity in local communities

Do you work with, employ, or buy from small holder farmers?

Yes.

Do you support education or job training programs?

We provide or lend resources to occupational training programs

How do you assess and improve your community engagement and impact?

Community outreach programs
Have an accessible system for community participation in resource management and decision making
Work with and/or educate regulators and policy makers
Other – work with the Maine lobstering community specifically to educate and engage in kelp aquaculture best practices and resources for success

Do you share or loan equipment with members of your community?

Yes.

Preserves the quality and story of the product throughout the supply chain

What parts of the product’s identity are preserved and included in the final product branding?

Face (the people who grow the food)
Place (where it is grown)
Practices (production method/processing)

What traceability measures are in place to ensure quality and provide full transparency to buyers and consumers?

System allows transparency – key data and documentation can flow between steps/actors of the supply chain
Lot Coding
Vertically Integrated
Work with partners who have shared traceability goals and/or systems

About

Atlantic Sea Farms is introducing regenerative seaweed aquaculture as a viable and profitable diversification tool for fishing families that face the effects of climate change in the U.S., while growing the domestic market for fresh cultivated kelp. Maine is particularly well poised to lead in this effort, with over 4,000 independent lobstermen who each possess the skills and infrastructure required for successful kelp aquaculture, and almost 3,500 miles of clean, well-managed coastline. The market for Maine kelp will continue to grow through the efforts of Atlantic Sea Farms and strategic partners, in the natural food, ingredient, food service, nutraceutical, and agricultural space. All Atlantic Sea Farms efforts drive toward making a positive change for working waterfront communities and fishing families in the face of climate change, and lead with the message that “good food should do good”.