Date of Award

1-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

College/School

College of Science and Mathematics

Department/Program

Biology

Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair

Colette Feehan

Committee Member

Pankaj Lal

Committee Member

Cortni Borgerson

Abstract

New Jersey’s offshore wind energy sector may provide an opportunity to advance the seaweed farming industry through ocean multi-use. Yet, opportunities, constraints, and knowledge gaps for seaweed farm-offshore wind co-location remain largely uninvestigated. Here, I determine the suitability of native seaweed species for offshore cultivation in New Jersey and conduct a quick scoping review (QSR) to assess the knowledge base surrounding seaweed farm-offshore wind multi-use. Saccharina latissima and Fucus vesiculosus were identified as native species with commercial value for cultivation in New Jersey. Yet, offshore waters at the location of a wind development site had insufficient nutrients to meet the growth requirements of these species. The QSR indicated a stronger emphasis on provisioning ecosystem services (i.e., food and agriculture products) than regulating/habitat and cultural services, when seaweed farms are co-located with offshore wind, as compared to seaweed farming in general. Stronger emphasis was also placed on environmental constraints when seaweed farms are co-located with offshore wind, including competition with local communities, risks to marine mammals/birds, and reduced primary production. Finally, there was a stronger emphasis on legal knowledge gaps for seaweed farming when co-located with offshore wind, particularly with respect to the governance of multi-use sites. To overcome these constraints and knowledge gaps for seaweed farm-offshore wind multi- use, future research should focus on nutrient limitation to farms, marine ecosystem effects, and the legal governance of multi-use sites with marine spatial planning.

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