Scientific Foundations

Advancing science for a more resilient future.

At Acadian Seaplants, science and sustainability work together to solve real-world challenges. Through decades of research, responsible resource management, advanced manufacturing and continuous innovation, we develop climate-smart technologies that help strengthen global food security while supporting more resilient agriculture, animal wellness and human wellness.

Understanding natural systems. Protecting them for the future.

Have you ever observed seaweed up close? It’s teeming with life. Fish, sea urchins, crabs, birds and countless other species depend on these underwater forests for food, shelter and habitat. After decades of studying these rich intertidal ecosystems, we understand both their ecological importance and our responsibility to protect them.

That responsibility is the foundation of our Resource Science program. Through rigorous monitoring, long-term research and science-based management, we continually evaluate the impact of our harvesting practices on seaweed populations and the broader marine ecosystem. This work helps ensure these renewable natural resources remain healthy and resilient for generations to come.

Biomass assessment and resource science

Effective preservation of any natural resource relies on comprehensive, up-to-date information. Using the world-leading technical resources at our disposal, Acadian Seaplants achieves a comprehensive understanding of the seaweed stock, its distribution and its overall health.

Across each of our harvesting regions worldwide, we conduct long-term monitoring of the stock and conduct research on the potential impact of the harvest on the habitat architecture and associated fauna. Using state-of-the-art technology, such as high-resolution satellite imagery and drone photography, we map the shoreline’s distribution of seaweed beds. Extensive ground truthing is also carried out to determine the biomass in each bed. All this information is finally fed into a GIS platform for an accurate and functional visualization of the information.

In all our harvesting jurisdictions we follow a precautionary approach to the harvest. We use an area-based management strategy and subdivide the coastline into small management units. Each management unit has its own harvest quota that is set using a harvest rate well below the annual rate of re-growth. Close interaction with government departments and agencies, and a strict adherence to their guidelines, ensures the sustainability of the seaweed resource in all our harvesting areas.

Habitat research & monitoring

Protecting coastal ecosystems requires more than responsible harvesting; it requires a deep scientific understanding of how these ecosystems function. Because changes within marine habitats can have far-reaching effects, our Marine Scientists continuously study and monitor the health, biodiversity and resilience of the ecosystems where we operate.

Our research examines how changes in algal biomass and canopy structure influence invertebrates, fish and other marine species. Working alongside leading research institutions, we assess and validate the environmental impact of our harvesting practices through long-term monitoring and independent scientific collaboration. This work helps ensure our operations continue to support healthy, resilient marine ecosystems for generations to come.

Teams in the field

Our commitment to responsible resource management begins in the field. Acadian’s Marine Scientists work across Canada and other prospective harvesting regions, collecting the scientific data needed to understand and protect these valuable renewable marine resources.

Throughout the year, our teams monitor seaweed populations to assess regrowth, biomass and overall ecosystem health following each harvest. Working in all conditions, they collect samples, conduct field assessments and generate the data that guides our sustainable harvesting practices. Every sample collected and every shoreline surveyed contributes to decades of scientific knowledge; helping ensure our resource management practices continue to protect renewable marine ecosystems for future generations.

How can Acadian Seaplants help you?

We can find out together.

Let’s connect