1 – The Urgency of Food Security
By 2050, the world will need to feed an additional 2 billion people. Currently, 98 percent of the global food supply relies on agriculture on land. However, this agricultural output comes at a significant environmental cost, as it is responsible for 10 to 12 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions—more than emissions from cars, trucks, trains, and planes combined. Moreover, the rapid spread of illnesses and chronic diseases linked to unhealthy diets is escalating, leading to immense social costs and widespread suffering.
Meanwhile, the wild fish population is under serious strain due to both overfishing and human-driven habitat destruction. As a result, yet another essential source of healthy protein and other vital nutrients is vanishing, further compounding the global nutrition challenge.
2 – The Challenge
How can humanity sustainably produce healthy food without overusing precious land, water, and air resources—and without contaminating what we eat and breathe?
3 – A Potential Solution
With over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface covered by oceans, these vast waters hold nutrient-rich plants, including seaweed, that may represent one of our planet’s most overlooked resources. Through sustainable sea farming, we could unlock a variety of healthy proteins, calcium, essential vitamins, iron, magnesium, and more. Additionally, this approach supports wildlife habitats and absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrogen—all while avoiding the need for fertilizers, freshwater, or even a single square meter of land.
Sjøgård is starting its sea farming operations in Ylvingen, located along the Norwegian coast south of the Polar Circle. Here, sheltered, clean waters, moderate tides, steady water temperatures, established infrastructure, and communities with a deep maritime history create ideal conditions for this endeavor.
4 – Strategy
By partnering with established companies in the fields of seeding, cultivation, and harvesting technologies, and securing potential buyers for biomass—particularly in Norway and the UK—Sjøgård is ready to move forward with its sea farming plans:
4.1. Application Process
After founding “Sjøgård – the Sea Farm AS,” the next step was to apply for a license to cultivate seaweed in the Ylvingen area. This process has required meticulous paperwork and around NOK 400,000 (approximately EUR 40,000), plus NOK 200,000 set aside as a deposit to cover potential cleanup costs in case the venture does not succeed. While a positive response was initially expected by summer 2024, bureaucratic delays mean the application will likely be processed by 2025.
Click HERE to support Sjøgård – the Sea Farm
4.2. Installation Phase
Upon receiving the necessary permits, we will proceed with the installation of the seaweed cultivation rigs. Ideally, this process will be completed by late summer 2025 to ensure readiness for the autumn seeding season.
5 – Implementation Steps
Once all required permits are secured, Sjøgård will follow a systematic approach:
Step 1: Construct and position the rigging systems.
Step 2: Seed seaweed in the autumn, aiming for a spring harvest.
Step 3: Maintain and monitor the farm.
Step 4: Harvest, package, and ship the products.
6 – Key figures
I applied for four sites as planned, each around 15 decares (15’000m2), with each site capable of producing up to 400 tons of sugar kelp that absorbs CO₂ up to 20 times faster than nearby land-based forests. The setup cost for each location is estimated at NOK 1,000,000 (EUR 100,000), with installations possible one at a time as funding becomes available.
Supporting Sjøgård will be a high-benefit, non-profit investment; all profits will be reinvested into the project’s growth.
Click HERE to support Sjøgård – the Sea Farm
7 – Future Prospects
Sea farming is a rapidly growing industry with vast potential, and Sjøgård is only the beginning. By working closely with partners, Sjøgård will contribute to sustainable nutrition for both people and animals, as the seaweed biomass will serve as a key ingredient in food and feed products.
Establishing Sjøgård will create new jobs and strengthen the local business ecosystem. Furthermore, Sjøgård aligns with multiple of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by all United Nations, promoting prosperity while preserving the environment:
2 – Zero hunger
3 – Good health and well-being
6 – Clean water (and sanitation)
8 – Decent work and economic growth
9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure
11 – Sustainable cities and communities
12 – Responsible consumption and production
13 – Climate action
14 – Life below water
15 – Life on land
17 – Partnerships for the goals
Seaweed offers unprecedented potential, with applications spanning feed, food, medicine, biofuels, sustainable packaging, dietary supplements, and fertilizers.