A seaweed aquaculture summit, known as the Pacific Seaweed Summit, will be taking place in Campbell River from May 6 to the 8.
A release from North Island College says the event will bring together researchers, industry professionals, Indigenous leaders, government representatives and community members from across the region to explore opportunities in seaweed aquaculture.
“We’re so pleased to be able to support the seaweed sector in British Columbia to be developed in a way that aligns with the values of coastal communities,” said Naomi Tabata, director of North Island College’s Centre for Applied Research, Technology and Innovation.
NIC said it is co-hosting the summit alongside the Wei Wai Kum First Nation, Heiltsuk Climate Action and Pacific Seaweed Industry Association, with venues at the NIC campus and Wei Wai Kum Big House.
“The Pacific Seaweed Summit brings together industry, research and community to accelerate innovation and build a resilient, sustainable seaweed sector on the Pacific coast,” said Mark Smith, executive director of the Pacific Seaweed Industry Association.
The summit will feature keynote speakers Larry Johnson, president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood Development Corporation, and Dune Lankard, founder and president of Native Conservancy in Alaska.
According to NIC, panel discussions will cover the state of the seaweed sector, environmental stewardship, processing infrastructure, investment and partnership and value-added product development.
“The World Bank has predicted seaweed could employ up to 150 million people globally within 40 years,” the release said.
