Approaching a U.S. Regulatory Framework for Sporeless Seaweed Biotechnology

Seaweed farming is the fastest-growing aquaculture sector in the United States. The development of sterile, selectively bred (sporeless) seaweed aims to support the economic viability of future large offshore seaweed operations and minimize the environmental risks of these operations to wild seaweed beds. Farmers have implemented analogous breeding techniques to control and enhance most terrestrial crops and common aquaculture products (e.g., oysters and carp). This Article draws from existing federal and state aquaculture policies to explore four pillars critical to a future sporeless seaweed regulatory framework: ensuring maintained sterility, tracing the geographic origin of seed, securing offshore permits, and facilitating the international exchange of seed. Our analysis supplements the limited literature on U.S. seaweed aquaculture policy and is the first to explore regulatory precedent for sporeless seaweed in the United States.