Restorative aquaculture stimulates cultural and ecological benefits: Centering sugar kelp, indigenous stewardship, and a New York estuary

Abstract In the face of intensifying climate change and growing shoreline industrialization, coastal socio‐ecological systems can benefit from resource development strategies that provide important environmental benefits. One such development strategy (i.e., coastal nature‐based solution) involves restorative aquaculture, which improves coastal health through the continual delivery of climate and ecological services. Through seaweed cultivation, humans directly benefit from small‐scale resource output and improved environmental conditions like water quality. Aquaculture systems also play a large role in the delivery of cultural benefits and can strengthen place‐based connections through access to significant resource areas. Small‐scale restorative aquaculture systems have received little academic attention despite the crucial role they play in sustainable coastal resource cultivation. In this piece, we explain how the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers, an Indigenous and women‐led restorative aquaculture system, have long been leaders in this field. Situated in the Northeastern United States, the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers culture and develop a native seaweed, namely, sugar kelp. As more Northeastern United States coastal programs and conservation agencies explore restorative aquaculture systems to satisfy coastal development goals, they should work with Indigenous communities in decision‐making seats.