NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fiscal Year 2022 Aquaculture Accomplishments
The Alaska Regional Office and Alaska Fisheries Science Center continue coordinated efforts to…
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Fisherman pulling up sugar kelp. Credit: GreenWave/Ron Gautreau
Fisherman pulling up sugar kelp. Credit: GreenWave/Ron Gautreau
Sugar kelp is a yellowish brown marine algae widely cultivated and eaten in Asia and growing in popularity in the United States as a nutritious food high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Sugar kelp has long been known as a sweetener and as having thickening and gelling qualities that can be added to food and cosmetics. Sugar kelp is being grown and harvested by more commercial farms for a variety of uses, from food to potential biofuels.
Kingdom | Protista | Phylum | Ochrophyta | Class | Phaeophyceae | Order | Laminariales | Family | Laminariaceae | Genus | Saccharina | Species | latissima |
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Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/10/2023
U.S. farmed sugar kelp is a smart seafood choice because it is grown and harvested under U.S. state and federal regulations.
Fresh product when harvested is available February to May, while dried kelp is available year round.
Commercially farmed in cold water regions along the East and West Coast of the United States and Alaska.
Sugar kelp has a savory and slightly sweet flavor. When dried, a white, sweet-tasting powder forms on the blade.
Crunchy texture
High in fiber, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/10/2023
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/10/2023
U.S. farmed sugar kelp is a smart seafood choice because it is grown and harvested under U.S. state and federal regulations.
Sugar kelp provides net environmental benefits by removing excess nutrients and carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen to mitigate against ocean acidification.
Growing sugar kelp requires no feed—sugar kelp produce their own food through photosynthesis, using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.
Sugar kelp lines are seeded in a land-based nursery and then placed in tanks or marine waters for grow-out.
Sugar kelp is high in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, calcium, iodine, and magnesium.
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/10/2023
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/10/2023
The Alaska Regional Office and Alaska Fisheries Science Center continue coordinated efforts to…
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/10/2023