Harnessing regenerative ocean farming for marine ecosystem restoration: Algapelago's Blue Forest Project.
Abstract
Algapelago, a UK-based regenerative mariculture company, is leading a pioneering initiative to develop scalable ocean farming systems that support nutrient mitigation, marine ecosystem restoration, and natural capital enhancement. At the heart of this initiative is the Blue Forest Project, which integrates the cultivation of two native species, sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) and blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), into a modular offshore farming system. Designed to operate under high-energy coastal conditions, the project aims to deliver significant ecological benefits while providing a model for sustainable blue economy development. Planned for deployment across 116 hectares in Bideford Bay, North Devon, the modular system engineered by Arctic Seaweed will combine high-density cultivation and automation to enable the production of over 3,000 tonnes of regenerative biomass per year. This article summarizes the project's key ecological contributions and outlines its potential to redefine the role of ocean farming in environmental management.