Australia's Sea Forest named Earthshot award finalist; Atlantic Sea Farms wins NEXTY Award

SeafoodSource is closely following seaweed innovation by compiling a regular round-up of updates from the sector.

- Atlantic Sea Farms was awarded a NEXTY Award for its Spicy Gochujang Seaweed Salad product, the company announced on 21 September. 

The Biddeford, Maine U.S.A.-based seaweed-farming company was recognized for having the Best New Plant-Focused Product for its newest kelp-based fermented condiment. 

“As always, this is a complete team effort. From our seaweed seed nursery to our partner farmers, production team, logistics crew, sales, marketing, and of course our seaweed superfans, we can't do it without you. Let's keep growing delicious, regenerative food together!” the Atlantic Sea Farms wrote in its LinkedIn release.

- On 20 September, Triabunna, Australia-based environmental biotechnology company Sea Forest announced it had been selected as a finalist for the Earthshot prize.

The seaweed-focused start-up is a finalist in the Fix Our Climate category for its seaweed, which it grows to reduce greenhouse gases from cows, according to ABC Rural. Sea Forest has been developing a process to feed its seaweed to cattle and reduce methane emissions. 

"On behalf of the Sea Forest team, and the farmers, retailers, and researchers we are collaborating with, we are thrilled to be named a finalist in The Earthshot Prize. This is a win for Australian climate science and Australia’s leading role in emissions reduction initiatives,” Sea Forest Co-Founder Sam Elsom said in a LinkedIn release. 

The Earthshot award was launched in 2020 by the U.K.'s Prince William and the Duke of Cambridge, collaborating with the Royal Foundation and the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge. 

"Our journey has been one which has involved taking some really exciting Australian science and trying to get it a scale that can create real impact," Elsom said. "To have that work recognized on a global stage through the Earthshot is really exciting."

- Venus Shell Systems, which operates the largest seaweed farm in Australia, announced the launch of an equity crowdfunding campaign on Swarmer on 20 September. The company focuses on regenerating downstream carbon and nitrogen derived from agriculture. 

"We are incredibly excited about the impact we will make by scaling our seaweed ingredient production to meet global market needs," Venus Shell Systems CEO Pia Winberg said in a release. "We believe that with the support of a savvy investment community, we can have a breakthrough impact on both the health of individuals and the health of our planet. The timing has never been more urgent."

The crowdfunding campaign will support the scaling of its facilities, advance sales, and market operations to create sustainable seaweed. 

Photo courtesy of Atlantic Sea Farms/LinkedIn