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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedSeptember 10, 2026Miami-Dade County

California Coastal Commission approves plans for large-scale kelp farm off Ventura County

Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

State coastal officials voted to allow Ocean Rainforest to build a large kelp farm off the Southern California coast. The project will cultivate giant kelp in federal waters to produce agricultural products for local farms, with construction potentially starting in 2027.

AquacultureKelp FarmingCoastal ManagementAgricultureMarine Environment
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

Why It Matters

The project introduces a commercial kelp farm spanning approximately 3 square miles off the Southern California coast, impacting local commercial fishing while supplying agricultural products for regional farms.

Key Facts

  • The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to allow a plan for the U.S.'s largest kelp farm to move forward.
  • The farm will be located 6 miles off the Southern California coast in a roughly 3-square-mile stretch of federal waters.
  • Ocean Rainforest plans to harvest giant kelp to develop agricultural products for California strawberry and avocado farms.
  • The company can harvest as much as 6,000 tons of kelp at full capacity after a decade-long phased buildout.
  • Processing will take place in the port city of Ventura.
  • Construction on the project could begin in 2027.
  • Some commercial fishing will be displaced, and an industry support fund is being discussed between Ocean Rainforest and fishermen.
  • Environmentalists raised concerns regarding whale entanglements and increased boat traffic, while officials noted taut lines will be used in a lower-density marine mammal area.

Who's Mentioned

PersonGeoff Shester“Director of fishery innovation at Oceana”OrganizationU.S. Army Corps of Engineers“Conducts periodic reviews of the project”PersonTed Travers“Chief operating officer of Simpatica”OrganizationTrump administration“Administration seeking to ramp up aquaculture”OrganizationWorld Bank“Published a report on seaweed markets”locationCalifornia“State where farms and coastal commission are located”OrganizationOcean Rainforest“Company planning to build the kelp farm”locationFaroe Islands“Base location of Ocean Rainforest”PersonDouglas Bush“Director of California operations for Ocean Rainforest”locationLos Angeles“Reference point for location distance”locationTexas“State where aquaculture areas were designated”PersonCassidy Teufel“Deputy director at the coastal commission”OrganizationOceana“Ocean conservation group raising questions about the project”OrganizationCalifornia Coastal Commission“State agency that voted to allow the plan”OrganizationNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration“Designated areas for aquaculture”locationVentura“Port city where kelp will be processed”OrganizationSimpatica“Avocado farm supporting the project”