Seaweed is an emerging superfood, and the global demand for seaweed products outstrips what is available to collect from wild stocks. Dr Chloe Darkson is a marine biologist and with her husband Brad Darkson (a proud Narungga man) she is developing a model of on-land cultivation using pumped seawater that will allow them to collect, cultivate and process seaweed into a range of products. The target customers are consumers following a plant-based diet with a sustainable source of nutrition. They currently have a fisheries permit to wild harvest storm-cast kelp and they are working on a project with SARDI to develop land-based fresh cultivated seaweed operations.

This is a novel approach and will be important in the establishment of a viable and sustainable seaweed industry in Australia. In addition, Chloe and Brad are consulting with local Indigenous Elders to ensure correct cultural protocols are being followed as they establish their business on Kaurna Sea Country and Land.