Conference Program

Seagriculture USA
6 - 7 September 2023
Portland, ME, USA

The Seagriculture USA conference program is designed to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the seaweed industry, from the latest research to practical applications in the marketplace. With a diverse range of sessions, the conference provides an opportunity for delegates to learn from experts in the field, network with industry professionals, and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the seaweed industry.

Program is tentative and subject to changes. More information will follow soon.

Conference day 1: Wednesday 6 September 2023

9.00 am – 9.30 am Opening of the conference

9.30 am - 9.50 am: Keynote presentation

Markos Scheer, CEO, Seagrove, USA

9.50 am – 11.10 am Session 1: Smart seaweed farming

Smart farming refers to managing farms using modern information and communication technologies to increase the quantity and quality of cultivated products while optimizing the human labor required. Within this session, seaweed experts will present their contribution to increase the profitability of seaweed farming.

9.50 am - 10.10 am

Zach Backas, CEO, Co-founder, HoldFast Robotics, USA

10.10 am - 10.30 am

Alf Pryor, Alaska Ocean Farms, USA

10.30 am - 10.50 am

Chuck Toombs, CEO, Founder, Oregon Seaweed, USA

10.50 am - 11.10 am

Huibert-Jan Zweemer, Project Manager, Murre Technologies, The Netherlands

11.10 am – 11.40 am Coffee Break / Trade Show

11.40 am – 12.40 am Session 2: Social and regulatory aspects related to seaweeds

During this session, speakers will present their work on social and regulatory aspects (e.g. permitting policies) related to seaweeds.

11.40 am - 12.00 pm: Harnessing the power of storytelling and storylistening for building social contracts

Holly Parker, Director, Schiller Coastal Studies Center, Bowdoin College, USA

12.00 pm - 12.20 pm: Social license and BMPs as critical tools in the leasing and permitting process

Sebastian Belle, Executive Director, Maine Aquaculture Association, USA

12.20 pm - 12.40 pm

Oscar Ikinya, Founder Director, Mwani Africa, Kenya

12.40 pm – 2.10 pm Lunch / Trade Show

2.10 pm - 2.30 pm: Keynote presentation

Samantha Garwin, Director of Market Development, GreenWave, USA

2.30 pm – 3.30 pm Session 3: Panel discussion on Investments in seaweeds and the opportunities of seaweed carbon credits

Moderator: Marc von Keitz, Director, The Grantham Foundation

During this panel discussion, a number of seaweed business and investment experts will share their vision on the seaweed industry in North America and abroad, on needs and expectations, and on what the next steps should be. Furthermore, the topic of seaweed carbon credits will be discussed.

Lisa Sebesta, Founder, Sitari Capital, USA

Jason Mitchell, Norfolk Green Ventures, USA

Schery Umanzor, Assistant Professor, University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA

3.30 pm – 4.00 pm Coffee Break / Trade Show

4.00 pm – 5.00 pm Session 4: The young seaweed generation

The seaweed industry is full of young, ambitious people. During this session, three young seaweed experts will share their stories.

4.00 pm - 4.20 pm

David Bailey, Research Associate, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA

4.20 pm - 4.40 pm

Daniele Pampanin, Univ Stavanger, Norway

4.40 pm - 5.00 pm

Speaker to be confirmed

5.00 pm - 5.20 pm: Keynote presentation

Sea Briganti, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Loliware, USA

6.00 pm – 7.30 pm Welcome Cocktail Reception

More information will follow soon

Conference day 2: Thursday 7 September 2023

9.00 am - 9.20 am: Keynote presentation

Briana Warner, CEO, Atlantic Sea Farms, USA

9.20 am – 10.30 am Session 5: Seaweeds and indigenous communities

Various indigenous communities in North America have used seaweeds for centuries. During this session, some of these communities will share their story.

10.30 am – 11.00 am Coffee Break / Trade Show

11.00 am – 12.00 pm Session 6: Seaweed processing and applications

The Seagriculture conference is not complete without this session. Three speakers will present their work on processing aspects and (novel) seaweed applications.