A Decentralized Biobanking Framework to Enable Red Seaweed (Pyropia) and Sugar Kelp (Saccharina latissima) Conservation and Cultivation in British Columbia

This project will develop new tools to preserve seaweed genetic diversity and create a decentralized biobank to ensure a reliable, long-term supply of kelp seed for restoration and farming. By using genetic sequencing to catalogue existing kelp cultures and building an open-access database, it will help identify vulnerable and resilient populations while reducing reliance on unpredictable wild harvests. The project brings together stakeholders to co-develop shared methods for seaweed biobanking, building capacity across researchers, industry, and First Nations partners.