Status
The climate crisis is escalating too quickly for passive research on traditional timelines. That’s why our approach is designed to bring immediate benefit to a community on the front line of climate injustice, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for our long term vision.
We’re poised to move the needle in a sustainable and regenerative direction through a 3-phase approach:
Phase I: Partner with Indigenous kelp farmers as they incorporate our novel technology to improve yields
Phase II: Prove the viability of regenerative deep blue carbon capture through marine benthic (bottom of the ocean) kelp sequestration
Phase III: Scale our process to address the global need for massive carbon removal and validate the quality of Deep Blue carbon sequestration at scale
1. Develop economical, standard-tooled, quick-to-build, ecosafe, near carbon-neutral prototype of mariculture buoy system to be used by Native Alaskan kelp farmers for nearshore anchored deployment (precursor to pelagic version). As of fall 2024, we are working on the 3rd generation buoy, which has improvements to battery life and upgraded sonar sensors from earlier laser sensors.
2. Develop an automated portable kelp hatchery in a cargo container that can be transported to remote coast locations where Indigenous kelpers are taking their water back.
3. Develop prototype of autonomous pelagic saildrone that will use artificial intelligence (AI) to locate buoys, identify/avoid hazards, and navigate on autopilot. Design will provide opportunity for Indigenous partners to adapt software for components (GPS, computer vision, wifi) that support saildrone’s AI learning.
4. Implement computer model using buoy sensor/system data to present AI-driven data visualizations that are easily understood by Indigenous mariculture farmers and can be used to adjust cultivation practices and improve product yields.
5. Create process to accurately record the growth of kelp biomass on the blockchain using proof-of-stake standard.
We have established workshops in Cordova, AK and Seattle, WA to build and test these components along with our partners. If you’re interested in supporting this work, please get in touch!