Wild Seaweed Value Chain Assessment

The Problem We Aimed to Solve

There is growing interest in marine plants as an economic opportunity in BC. Prior to our study there was no synthesis characterizing the wild marine plant economy. The Province of BC wanted to better understand the economic importance wild marine plants, the people involved, what harvest levels are, sales activities, costs, and policy impacts to harvesters and local communities.

How We Helped

ESSA completed a value chain analysis of the wild marine plant economy, covering the entire Pacific Coast of BC. Using United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) guidelines, our analysis involved three stages and drew on government data, interviews, and a literature review of global wild seaweed value chains. We completed interviews with harvesters, processors, retailers, and wholesalers. Outputs included detailed actor mapping, a status description of the value chain, and identification of constraints and opportunities for development of the sector.

Our Project’s Impacts

The outcomes of this work are being used by Provincial regulators to inform adjustments to the management and licencing process for wild marine plant harvests in BC.