Seaweed | 60 Minutes Archive

Many of us think of seaweed as a Many of us think of seaweed as a nuisance, the slimy, sometimes smelly nuisance, the slimy, sometimes smelly nuisance, the slimy, sometimes smelly stuff that clogs fishermen's nets, gets stuff that clogs fishermen's nets, gets stuff that clogs fishermen's nets, gets tangled in our ankles in the ocean, and tangled in our ankles in the ocean, and tangled in our ankles in the ocean, and washes up unwanted on the beach. washes up unwanted on the beach. washes up unwanted on the beach. Even its name, seaweed, implies Even its name, seaweed, implies Even its name, seaweed, implies something undesirable. something undesirable. something undesirable. And yet, increasing numbers of And yet, increasing numbers of And yet, increasing numbers of fishermen, scientists, and foodies in fishermen, scientists, and foodies in fishermen, scientists, and foodies in this country are starting to look at this country are starting to look at this country are starting to look at seaweed very differently. As a promising seaweed very differently. As a promising seaweed very differently. As a promising source of food, jobs, and help cleaning source of food, jobs, and help cleaning source of food, jobs, and help cleaning ocean waters. ocean waters. ocean waters. With rising global populations and With rising global populations and With rising global populations and limited space to expand agriculture on limited space to expand agriculture on limited space to expand agriculture on land, they are turning to the sea and land, they are turning to the sea and land, they are turning to the sea and its weeds as a new frontier. its weeds as a new frontier. its weeds as a new frontier. >> Welcome aboard. >> Welcome aboard. >> Welcome aboard. >> Thank you. It's not often you get a ride >> Thank you. It's not often you get a ride >> Thank you. It's not often you get a ride to visit a farm on a boat. to visit a farm on a boat. to visit a farm on a boat. >> Here we go. >> Here we go. >> Here we go. >> But we were on board with Bren Smith, >> But we were on board with Bren Smith, >> But we were on board with Bren Smith, the nation's leading advocate for a the nation's leading advocate for a the nation's leading advocate for a whole new type of farming, ocean whole new type of farming, ocean whole new type of farming, ocean farming. We joined him on a cold day in farming. We joined him on a cold day in farming. We joined him on a cold day in December, the time of year he heads out December, the time of year he heads out December, the time of year he heads out to his version of fields to plant his to his version of fields to plant his to his version of fields to plant his staple crop, a type of seaweed called staple crop, a type of seaweed called staple crop, a type of seaweed called sugar kelp.

sugar kelp. sugar kelp. >> Here it is. >> Here it is. >> Here it is. >> This is the farm? I can't see anything. >> This is the farm? I can't see anything. >> This is the farm? I can't see anything. >> The whole idea is it's down under the >> The whole idea is it's down under the >> The whole idea is it's down under the water, so it's the white buoys. Yeah, water, so it's the white buoys. Yeah, water, so it's the white buoys. Yeah, that's the edges of the farm. that's the edges of the farm. that's the edges of the farm. >> And the black ones? >> And the black ones? >> And the black ones? >> Black buoys are holding up a horizontal >> Black buoys are holding up a horizontal >> Black buoys are holding up a horizontal rope below the surface, so it's rows, rope below the surface, so it's rows, rope below the surface, so it's rows, kind of rows of crops. This is the seed. kind of rows of crops. This is the seed. kind of rows of crops. This is the seed. >> He showed us what looked like a tube >> He showed us what looked like a tube >> He showed us what looked like a tube covered in fuzz. Is that kelp? covered in fuzz. Is that kelp? covered in fuzz. Is that kelp? >> Yeah, these are the baby plants. They're >> Yeah, these are the baby plants. They're >> Yeah, these are the baby plants. They're about 2 mm, and these are going to going about 2 mm, and these are going to going about 2 mm, and these are going to going to grow to 15-18 ft by the spring. It's to grow to 15-18 ft by the spring. It's to grow to 15-18 ft by the spring. It's one of the fastest growing plants on one of the fastest growing plants on one of the fastest growing plants on Earth. Earth. Earth. >> You can see >> You can see >> You can see >> And unlike all those plants that grow in >> And unlike all those plants that grow in >> And unlike all those plants that grow in Earth, seaweed doesn't need fertilizer Earth, seaweed doesn't need fertilizer Earth, seaweed doesn't need fertilizer or fresh water. or fresh water. or fresh water. >> I wait. >> I wait. >> I wait. >> It's what's called a zero input crop. >> It's what's called a zero input crop. >> It's what's called a zero input crop. >> So now we're just going to unravel it. >> So now we're just going to unravel it. >> So now we're just going to unravel it. >> Just attach the string it grows on to >> Just attach the string it grows on to >> Just attach the string it grows on to rope and suspend it 8 ft underwater. rope and suspend it 8 ft underwater. rope and suspend it 8 ft underwater. >> And that's it, huh? >> And that's it, huh? >> And that's it, huh? >> That's it. >> That's it. >> That's it. >> In 5 or 6 months, that fuzz will look >> In 5 or 6 months, that fuzz will look >> In 5 or 6 months, that fuzz will look like this. like this. like this. This was some of his crop last year.

This was some of his crop last year. This was some of his crop last year. Smith began leasing the right to farm Smith began leasing the right to farm Smith began leasing the right to farm this 20-acre plot of water in 2012 from this 20-acre plot of water in 2012 from this 20-acre plot of water in 2012 from the state of Connecticut. His was the the state of Connecticut. His was the the state of Connecticut. His was the first commercial seaweed farm in the first commercial seaweed farm in the first commercial seaweed farm in the state. Now there are nine with a half state. Now there are nine with a half state. Now there are nine with a half dozen more in the works. dozen more in the works. dozen more in the works. >> We hope, you know, in 10, 20 years there >> We hope, you know, in 10, 20 years there >> We hope, you know, in 10, 20 years there are thousands of farmers doing this. We are thousands of farmers doing this. We are thousands of farmers doing this. We think it's the future, the time to move think it's the future, the time to move think it's the future, the time to move out in the ocean, and luckily we could out in the ocean, and luckily we could out in the ocean, and luckily we could do it the right way. do it the right way. do it the right way. >> Smith spent most of his life working the >> Smith spent most of his life working the >> Smith spent most of his life working the oceans in what he now considers the oceans in what he now considers the oceans in what he now considers the wrong way, on industrial fishing boats wrong way, on industrial fishing boats wrong way, on industrial fishing boats going after lobster, tuna, and cod. going after lobster, tuna, and cod. going after lobster, tuna, and cod. >> We were tearing up whole ecosystems with >> We were tearing up whole ecosystems with >> We were tearing up whole ecosystems with our trawls, fishing in illegal waters, our trawls, fishing in illegal waters, our trawls, fishing in illegal waters, and just really chasing fewer and fewer and just really chasing fewer and fewer and just really chasing fewer and fewer fish further and further out to sea. fish further and further out to sea. fish further and further out to sea. >> And you didn't think about >> And you didn't think about >> And you didn't think about the idea that you were depleting the idea that you were depleting the idea that you were depleting >> Yeah, no. >> Yeah, no. >> Yeah, no. >> the population of fish. >> the population of fish. >> the population of fish. >> The oceans just seemed boundless. >> The oceans just seemed boundless. >> The oceans just seemed boundless. >> Boundless and bountiful. >> Boundless and bountiful. >> Boundless and bountiful. >> The sense of meaning of helping feed my >> The sense of meaning of helping feed my >> The sense of meaning of helping feed my country. You know, fishermen, there's country. You know, fishermen, there's country. You know, fishermen, there's some jobs, you know, some jobs, you know, some jobs, you know, coal workers, farmers, I think steel coal workers, farmers, I think steel coal workers, farmers, I think steel workers, and and fishermen where workers, and and fishermen where workers, and and fishermen where you know, they're jobs that are you know, they're jobs that are you know, they're jobs that are soul-filling. You know, they're jobs soul-filling. You know, they're jobs soul-filling. You know, they're jobs that we write and sing songs about. And that we write and sing songs about. And that we write and sing songs about. And I just I wanted that life, and it's I I just I wanted that life, and it's I I just I wanted that life, and it's I still do.

still do. still do. >> But that life was increasingly in peril. >> But that life was increasingly in peril. >> But that life was increasingly in peril. Cod stocks crashed due to overfishing. Cod stocks crashed due to overfishing. Cod stocks crashed due to overfishing. And after Smith reinvented himself And after Smith reinvented himself And after Smith reinvented himself cultivating oysters in Long Island cultivating oysters in Long Island cultivating oysters in Long Island Sound, hurricanes and Sandy hit Sound, hurricanes and Sandy hit Sound, hurricanes and Sandy hit destroying his crop 2 years in a row. destroying his crop 2 years in a row. destroying his crop 2 years in a row. >> Bren was really on the verge of >> Bren was really on the verge of >> Bren was really on the verge of bankruptcy bankruptcy bankruptcy >> Searching for a new career on the water, >> Searching for a new career on the water, >> Searching for a new career on the water, he sought advice from Charlie Yarish, a he sought advice from Charlie Yarish, a he sought advice from Charlie Yarish, a professor of marine biology, whose lab professor of marine biology, whose lab professor of marine biology, whose lab at the University of Connecticut studies at the University of Connecticut studies at the University of Connecticut studies some of the thousands of different types some of the thousands of different types some of the thousands of different types of seaweeds. of seaweeds. of seaweeds. >> But there's only 20 globally that are >> But there's only 20 globally that are >> But there's only 20 globally that are actually farmed. actually farmed. actually farmed. >> They're not all edible. >> They're not all edible. >> They're not all edible. >> No, they're not all edible. Some of them >> No, they're not all edible. Some of them >> No, they're not all edible. Some of them actually are quite toxic. We have now actually are quite toxic. We have now actually are quite toxic. We have now all these strains in the all these strains in the all these strains in the >> It was Yarish who suggested Smith >> It was Yarish who suggested Smith >> It was Yarish who suggested Smith consider sugar kelp, a local seaweed consider sugar kelp, a local seaweed consider sugar kelp, a local seaweed that gets planted after hurricane season that gets planted after hurricane season that gets planted after hurricane season is over, has a mild taste, and can also is over, has a mild taste, and can also is over, has a mild taste, and can also be used as animal feed and fertilizer.

be used as animal feed and fertilizer. be used as animal feed and fertilizer. >> Seaweed for you was the light bulb. >> Seaweed for you was the light bulb. >> Seaweed for you was the light bulb. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> The eureka moment. >> The eureka moment. >> The eureka moment. >> We can create jobs here. We We can >> We can create jobs here. We We can >> We can create jobs here. We We can protect and improve the environment. We protect and improve the environment. We protect and improve the environment. We don't have to make this choice. don't have to make this choice. don't have to make this choice. >> Yeah, that looks nice. >> Yeah, that looks nice. >> Yeah, that looks nice. >> Smith now operates one of the largest >> Smith now operates one of the largest >> Smith now operates one of the largest seaweed hatcheries in the country with seaweed hatcheries in the country with seaweed hatcheries in the country with tanks full of developing kelp spores and tanks full of developing kelp spores and tanks full of developing kelp spores and a processing room that comes alive in a processing room that comes alive in a processing room that comes alive in spring when he and his team bring in the spring when he and his team bring in the spring when he and his team bring in the harvest and get it ready for sale. harvest and get it ready for sale. harvest and get it ready for sale. Blanched in 170° water, kelp turns a Blanched in 170° water, kelp turns a Blanched in 170° water, kelp turns a vivid green and can then be sold fresh vivid green and can then be sold fresh vivid green and can then be sold fresh or frozen, sometimes in the form of or frozen, sometimes in the form of or frozen, sometimes in the form of noodles. noodles. noodles. Smith's customers include Google for Smith's customers include Google for Smith's customers include Google for their cafeteria, Yale University, and their cafeteria, Yale University, and their cafeteria, Yale University, and several restaurants and wholesalers. He several restaurants and wholesalers. He several restaurants and wholesalers. He has sold out the last four years. has sold out the last four years. has sold out the last four years. But at this kelp farm across the country But at this kelp farm across the country But at this kelp farm across the country in the waters outside Seattle, producing in the waters outside Seattle, producing in the waters outside Seattle, producing food is almost beside the point. This is food is almost beside the point. This is food is almost beside the point. This is a test farm where Betsy Peabody of the a test farm where Betsy Peabody of the a test farm where Betsy Peabody of the Puget Sound Restoration Fund and a team Puget Sound Restoration Fund and a team Puget Sound Restoration Fund and a team of scientists are doing an experiment to of scientists are doing an experiment to of scientists are doing an experiment to see whether seaweed can help fight the see whether seaweed can help fight the see whether seaweed can help fight the growing problem of ocean acidification growing problem of ocean acidification growing problem of ocean acidification caused mainly by increasing carbon caused mainly by increasing carbon caused mainly by increasing carbon dioxide levels in the seas.

dioxide levels in the seas. dioxide levels in the seas. >> Roughly 25% >> Roughly 25% >> Roughly 25% of CO2 in the atmosphere is being of CO2 in the atmosphere is being of CO2 in the atmosphere is being absorbed into oceans. absorbed into oceans. absorbed into oceans. >> That is >> That is >> That is >> what we're getting from fossil fuels >> what we're getting from fossil fuels >> what we're getting from fossil fuels from both carbon emissions, from from both carbon emissions, from from both carbon emissions, from deforestation, and I think initially deforestation, and I think initially deforestation, and I think initially people thought, "Well, thank goodness people thought, "Well, thank goodness people thought, "Well, thank goodness the oceans are taking up some of that the oceans are taking up some of that the oceans are taking up some of that carbon dioxide." But then scientists carbon dioxide." But then scientists carbon dioxide." But then scientists started to document that in fact when started to document that in fact when started to document that in fact when that carbon dioxide goes into the ocean, that carbon dioxide goes into the ocean, that carbon dioxide goes into the ocean, it causes chemical changes. it causes chemical changes. it causes chemical changes. >> Changes like increasing the water's >> Changes like increasing the water's >> Changes like increasing the water's acidity as documented in the US acidity as documented in the US acidity as documented in the US government's 2017 Climate Science government's 2017 Climate Science government's 2017 Climate Science Special Report. Special Report. Special Report. The excess CO2 causes a decrease of The excess CO2 causes a decrease of The excess CO2 causes a decrease of carbonate ions, which many marine carbonate ions, which many marine carbonate ions, which many marine species use to build their shells and species use to build their shells and species use to build their shells and skeletons. skeletons. skeletons. Worldwide, ocean surface waters have Worldwide, ocean surface waters have Worldwide, ocean surface waters have become 30% more acidic over the last 150 become 30% more acidic over the last 150 become 30% more acidic over the last 150 years. And in the Pacific Northwest, the years. And in the Pacific Northwest, the years. And in the Pacific Northwest, the problem is compounded by currents that problem is compounded by currents that problem is compounded by currents that bring more carbon-rich waters to the bring more carbon-rich waters to the bring more carbon-rich waters to the surface. And that's where seaweed comes surface. And that's where seaweed comes surface. And that's where seaweed comes in.

in. in. >> Kelp take up carbon dioxide like any >> Kelp take up carbon dioxide like any >> Kelp take up carbon dioxide like any plant does, and it just so happens it plant does, and it just so happens it plant does, and it just so happens it lives in the water. lives in the water. lives in the water. There are winners and losers in ocean There are winners and losers in ocean There are winners and losers in ocean acidification. Organisms that produce acidification. Organisms that produce acidification. Organisms that produce carbonate shells, like shellfish, carbonate shells, like shellfish, carbonate shells, like shellfish, they're a loser. They can't handle the they're a loser. They can't handle the they're a loser. They can't handle the lower pH. They can't uh deposit as much lower pH. They can't uh deposit as much lower pH. They can't uh deposit as much uh calcium in their shells. On the other uh calcium in their shells. On the other uh calcium in their shells. On the other hand, when seaweeds like kelp, they hand, when seaweeds like kelp, they hand, when seaweeds like kelp, they actually pick up that carbon dioxide actually pick up that carbon dioxide actually pick up that carbon dioxide because now it's easier for them to do because now it's easier for them to do because now it's easier for them to do photosynthesis. photosynthesis. photosynthesis. >> Imagine trees on land pulling CO2 out of >> Imagine trees on land pulling CO2 out of >> Imagine trees on land pulling CO2 out of the atmosphere. Well, seaweeds and kelp the atmosphere. Well, seaweeds and kelp the atmosphere. Well, seaweeds and kelp are really good at pulling CO2 out of are really good at pulling CO2 out of are really good at pulling CO2 out of the water. the water. the water. >> So, basically what you're doing is the >> So, basically what you're doing is the >> So, basically what you're doing is the equivalent equivalent equivalent >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> of planting trees in the ocean. >> of planting trees in the ocean. >> of planting trees in the ocean. >> Exactly. >> Exactly. >> Exactly. >> And then testing to see how much of a >> And then testing to see how much of a >> And then testing to see how much of a difference it makes. difference it makes. difference it makes. >> We've got scientific mooring buoys >> We've got scientific mooring buoys >> We've got scientific mooring buoys anchored at both sides. anchored at both sides. anchored at both sides. >> The yellow. >> The yellow. >> The yellow. >> The yellow buoys. >> The yellow buoys. >> The yellow buoys. >> They're measuring how water changes as >> They're measuring how water changes as >> They're measuring how water changes as it flows through the kelp field and it flows through the kelp field and it flows through the kelp field and seeing if baby shellfish grown with the seeing if baby shellfish grown with the seeing if baby shellfish grown with the kelp do better at building their shells.

kelp do better at building their shells. kelp do better at building their shells. Results won't be in for more than a Results won't be in for more than a Results won't be in for more than a year. year. year. And Bren Smith is eager to see them. And Bren Smith is eager to see them. And Bren Smith is eager to see them. He's been growing shellfish on his kelp He's been growing shellfish on his kelp He's been growing shellfish on his kelp farm, too, but not, he admits, because farm, too, but not, he admits, because farm, too, but not, he admits, because of the science. He says it's good of the science. He says it's good of the science. He says it's good business. business. business. >> Yeah, you can just hold it there. >> Yeah, you can just hold it there. >> Yeah, you can just hold it there. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> In November, he and his team loaded >> In November, he and his team loaded >> In November, he and his team loaded thousands of baby mussels into netting thousands of baby mussels into netting thousands of baby mussels into netting that look like massive sausages and then that look like massive sausages and then that look like massive sausages and then suspended them from ropes that hang down suspended them from ropes that hang down suspended them from ropes that hang down below the kelp. below the kelp. below the kelp. He calls it 3D ocean farming. He calls it 3D ocean farming. He calls it 3D ocean farming. >> Why 3D? >> Why 3D? >> Why 3D? >> We call that because we're using the >> We call that because we're using the >> We call that because we're using the entire water column. And if you can entire water column. And if you can entire water column. And if you can stack crops on top of each other, it's stack crops on top of each other, it's stack crops on top of each other, it's just really efficient. You don't use just really efficient. You don't use just really efficient. You don't use large, you know, plots of ocean. But you large, you know, plots of ocean. But you large, you know, plots of ocean. But you get so much food. get so much food. get so much food. >> So, you've got your seaweed. >> So, you've got your seaweed. >> So, you've got your seaweed. >> Yep. You've got the kelp here and then >> Yep. You've got the kelp here and then >> Yep. You've got the kelp here and then we have the mussels. we have the mussels. we have the mussels. >> Underwater, each row looks something >> Underwater, each row looks something >> Underwater, each row looks something like this. like this. like this. >> Off those same lines, we have scallops >> Off those same lines, we have scallops >> Off those same lines, we have scallops and then below the whole system, we have and then below the whole system, we have and then below the whole system, we have cages with oysters in them. cages with oysters in them. cages with oysters in them. >> He brought up one of those oyster cages >> He brought up one of those oyster cages >> He brought up one of those oyster cages from the bottom to show us.

from the bottom to show us. from the bottom to show us. >> What kind are these? >> What kind are these? >> What kind are these? >> Uh we call these Thimble Island Salts. >> Uh we call these Thimble Island Salts. >> Uh we call these Thimble Island Salts. And let's haul some mussels. And let's haul some mussels. And let's haul some mussels. >> Andy hauled up a mussel line so we could >> Andy hauled up a mussel line so we could >> Andy hauled up a mussel line so we could see their progress, too. see their progress, too. see their progress, too. >> They're in bunches. >> They're in bunches. >> They're in bunches. >> These are our mid-size, so they'll >> These are our mid-size, so they'll >> These are our mid-size, so they'll double in size. We'll harvest these just double in size. We'll harvest these just double in size. We'll harvest these just about the same time we harvest our kelp. about the same time we harvest our kelp. about the same time we harvest our kelp. So, this is going to be a big harvest. So, this is going to be a big harvest. So, this is going to be a big harvest. >> The story will continue after this. >> So, are you a fisherman or you a farmer? >> So, are you a fisherman or you a farmer? >> I'm a farmer now. Whether I like it or >> I'm a farmer now. Whether I like it or >> I'm a farmer now. Whether I like it or not, I'm an ocean farmer. I and I talked not, I'm an ocean farmer. I and I talked not, I'm an ocean farmer. I and I talked to fishermen about this. They say, to fishermen about this. They say, to fishermen about this. They say, "Listen, we have to make this "Listen, we have to make this "Listen, we have to make this transition. That heartbreaking move from transition. That heartbreaking move from transition. That heartbreaking move from being a hunter to a farmer." But, what being a hunter to a farmer." But, what being a hunter to a farmer." But, what what else are the pieces of what it is what else are the pieces of what it is what else are the pieces of what it is is sort of to be a fisherman? It's to is sort of to be a fisherman? It's to is sort of to be a fisherman? It's to own your own boat, succeed and fail on own your own boat, succeed and fail on own your own boat, succeed and fail on your own terms, and have the pride of your own terms, and have the pride of your own terms, and have the pride of feeding our country. We get to keep feeding our country. We get to keep feeding our country. We get to keep those things. those things. those things. >> He's so convinced he's launched a >> He's so convinced he's launched a >> He's so convinced he's launched a nonprofit called GreenWave to encourage nonprofit called GreenWave to encourage nonprofit called GreenWave to encourage others to follow his lead. others to follow his lead. others to follow his lead. >> How you doing?

>> How you doing? >> How you doing? >> Husband and wife Jay Douglas and Suzy >> Husband and wife Jay Douglas and Suzy >> Husband and wife Jay Douglas and Suzy Flores are among his seaweed farming Flores are among his seaweed farming Flores are among his seaweed farming disciples. A former Marine who served in disciples. A former Marine who served in disciples. A former Marine who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, Douglas learned Afghanistan and Iraq, Douglas learned Afghanistan and Iraq, Douglas learned the ropes, literally, on Smith's farm the ropes, literally, on Smith's farm the ropes, literally, on Smith's farm last spring. Spent a year getting a last spring. Spent a year getting a last spring. Spent a year getting a permit for his own plot of ocean in permit for his own plot of ocean in permit for his own plot of ocean in Connecticut and built 36 anchors from Connecticut and built 36 anchors from Connecticut and built 36 anchors from scratch. scratch. scratch. The day he and Flores went out to plant The day he and Flores went out to plant The day he and Flores went out to plant their first crop, Smith was along for their first crop, Smith was along for their first crop, Smith was along for guidance. guidance. guidance. >> Want to set this at a angle downwards. >> Want to set this at a angle downwards. >> Want to set this at a angle downwards. >> His nonprofit provides free seed and >> His nonprofit provides free seed and >> His nonprofit provides free seed and guarantees to buy 80% of their harvest guarantees to buy 80% of their harvest guarantees to buy 80% of their harvest for the first 2 years. He estimates that for the first 2 years. He estimates that for the first 2 years. He estimates that with a $10,000 to $20,000 investment and with a $10,000 to $20,000 investment and with a $10,000 to $20,000 investment and a boat, new farmers can turn a small a boat, new farmers can turn a small a boat, new farmers can turn a small profit the first year, rising to well profit the first year, rising to well profit the first year, rising to well over $100,000 over $100,000 over $100,000 later on. later on. later on. >> You're on a >> You're on a >> You're on a >> What am I on? What am I on? >> What am I on? What am I on? >> What am I on? What am I on? >> Has anyone actually said, "You know, you >> Has anyone actually said, "You know, you >> Has anyone actually said, "You know, you guys are a little nuts?" guys are a little nuts?" guys are a little nuts?" >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> People just yeah, kind of scratch their >> People just yeah, kind of scratch their >> People just yeah, kind of scratch their heads and say, "What are you What are heads and say, "What are you What are heads and say, "What are you What are you making all these anchors for?" It's you making all these anchors for?" It's you making all these anchors for?" It's like, "I'm starting a kelp farm."

like, "I'm starting a kelp farm." like, "I'm starting a kelp farm." >> What the hell is kelp? >> What the hell is kelp? >> What the hell is kelp? >> Yeah, right. >> Yeah, right. >> Yeah, right. >> Why? [laughter] >> Why? [laughter] >> Why? [laughter] >> Yeah, why? >> Yeah, why? >> Yeah, why? >> Which raises a question for this whole >> Which raises a question for this whole >> Which raises a question for this whole endeavor. Will Americans in large endeavor. Will Americans in large endeavor. Will Americans in large numbers start eating seaweed? numbers start eating seaweed? numbers start eating seaweed? >> And just toss them in there, a little >> And just toss them in there, a little >> And just toss them in there, a little kelp. kelp. kelp. >> Chef and author Barton Seaver thinks so. >> Chef and author Barton Seaver thinks so. >> Chef and author Barton Seaver thinks so. He's written a whole cookbook of seaweed He's written a whole cookbook of seaweed He's written a whole cookbook of seaweed recipes. recipes. recipes. When I hear the word seaweed, the last When I hear the word seaweed, the last When I hear the word seaweed, the last thing in my head is I want to eat that. thing in my head is I want to eat that. thing in my head is I want to eat that. You think they'll buy it out there? You think they'll buy it out there? You think they'll buy it out there? >> I do. I think, you know, 10 years ago >> I do. I think, you know, 10 years ago >> I do. I think, you know, 10 years ago kale wasn't on the shelf. kale wasn't on the shelf. kale wasn't on the shelf. >> He says first off, the name seaweed's >> He says first off, the name seaweed's >> He says first off, the name seaweed's got to go. He prefers sea green. got to go. He prefers sea green. got to go. He prefers sea green. >> So, is this one of the dishes you >> So, is this one of the dishes you >> So, is this one of the dishes you created? created? created? >> This is an Italian dish that typically >> This is an Italian dish that typically >> This is an Italian dish that typically uses spinach. uses spinach. uses spinach. >> He suggests integrating seaweed, pardon, >> He suggests integrating seaweed, pardon, >> He suggests integrating seaweed, pardon, sea greens into things we already know sea greens into things we already know sea greens into things we already know and like. Are you nervous that I might and like. Are you nervous that I might and like. Are you nervous that I might not like it? not like it? not like it? >> In front of all of America? No, not at >> In front of all of America? No, not at >> In front of all of America? No, not at all. all. all. >> [laughter] >> Surprisingly, it didn't taste fishy or >> Surprisingly, it didn't taste fishy or seaweed-y.

seaweed-y. seaweed-y. And he says kelp is rich in calcium, And he says kelp is rich in calcium, And he says kelp is rich in calcium, fiber, iron, and antioxidants. fiber, iron, and antioxidants. fiber, iron, and antioxidants. That's really good. That's really good. That's really good. It is really good. It is really good. It is really good. >> I This is what's exciting about this >> I This is what's exciting about this >> I This is what's exciting about this space. The oceans are a blank slate. space. The oceans are a blank slate. space. The oceans are a blank slate. Like for my generation, it's a really Like for my generation, it's a really Like for my generation, it's a really exciting moment. I can farm and grow exciting moment. I can farm and grow exciting moment. I can farm and grow food, but also I can soak up carbon and food, but also I can soak up carbon and food, but also I can soak up carbon and nitrogen while creating jobs, while nitrogen while creating jobs, while nitrogen while creating jobs, while giving people the opportunity to create giving people the opportunity to create giving people the opportunity to create small businesses. small businesses. small businesses. >> And while fulfilling his dream of living >> And while fulfilling his dream of living >> And while fulfilling his dream of living his life on the water. his life on the water. his life on the water. >> Yeah, I want to die on my boat one day. >> Yeah, I want to die on my boat one day. >> Yeah, I want to die on my boat one day. That's sort of the goal. And I think if That's sort of the goal. And I think if That's sort of the goal. And I think if I look over my life, my goal is just I look over my life, my goal is just I look over my life, my goal is just always how do I keep working at sea?