profile by Tatum Bergen
True reconciliation in action ON BC’S COAST
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long the pristine coastline of British Columbia, the ocean is inspiring opportunities to address food security, climate action and Indigenous reconciliation. Together, BC First Nations are partnering with Cascadia Seaweed to produce jobs and economic diversification for coastal communities. Since the Industrial Revolution, the sea has absorbed more than 25 per cent of emitted carbon–the largest carbon sink on the planet. The ocean presents an untapped, abundant resource for climate action to benefit people and the planet. The ocean’s superpower? Seaweed. Its resumé is extensive: it can form biodegradable packaging, feed cows, and reduce their methane emissions; regenerate marine ecosystems, create biofuel, and absorb carbon. Ocean cultivated seaweed uses nutrients from the sea, and requires no freshwater,
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fertilizers, pesticides, or arable land to grow. It presents an opportunity to create thousands of new green jobs along Canada’s coasts and directly supports the development of Canada’s growing Blue Economy. Seaweed cultivation is the definition of regenerative aquaculture.
ABOVE: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) Barges
Seaweed is also a superfood. For thousands of years, coastal Indigenous communities have used seaweed as a nutritious food source: a complete protein packed with vitamins and minerals. By 2050, the World Bank
Group estimates the global seaweed industry will generate USD$28 billion per year and supply close to 10 per cent of the world’s food stores.
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Ocean culitvated seaweed . . . presents an opportunity to create thousands of new green jobs along Canada’s coasts and directly supports the development of Canada’s growing Blue Economy.
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and boats from the James Island farm installation. Rob Napoli and Tom Campbell inspecting lines in Barkley Sound. Matt Obee, VP of Operations, tasting freshly harvested seaweed.
In short, seaweed improves the ocean environment in which it grows; the more it is cultivated, the more our economy prospers, while the healthier the ocean and our climate become. The Tsawout First Nation, located on the Saanich Peninsula on Southern Vancouver Island, recognize the economic, environmental, and social opportunities of seaweed cultivation. 170 years after signing the Douglas Treaty, the nation is exercising their PHOTOS: COURTESY CASCADIA SEAWEED
