Australia
Southern Seagreens is a sustainable seaweed farming startup located on the Mornington Peninsula. Founded in 2021 by a group of friends who share a passion for the sea, the company focuses on cultivating native seaweed in Victorian coastal waters. Their mission is to produce sustainable and nutritious food to meet the demands of the growing global population, expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050. The founders highlight the benefits of seaweed farming as it requires zero input in terms of soil, fresh water, or fertilizers and offers high protein and nutrient content while also contributing to the improvement of the marine ecosystem.
The company sees potential in collaborating with creative individuals, especially local chefs, to explore innovative ways to incorporate kelp into everyday diets. Having received the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Climate Action Grant, Southern Seagreens has established a kelp nursery on the Mornington Peninsula. The nursery allows them to seed juvenile kelp onto twine, which is then grown to maturity at their aquaculture site off Flinders. Additionally, the company is involved in the cultivation of Wakame, a type of high-quality kelp, in local waters, contributing to the regeneration of native kelp populations impacted by environmental changes.
At present, Southern Seagreens offers their initial products for online purchase and welcomes trade inquiries. The company acknowledges the support it has received from the Mornington Peninsula Shire and Vic Fisheries in their endeavor to contribute to a more sustainable approach to food production.
