ARKELP - Subarctic kelp cultivation

ARKELP aims to enable more predictable and efficient production of sugar kelp in Troms and Finnmark by developing cultivation methods and production protocols tailored to the region’s climate and environmental conditions. Although Northern Norway offers excellent natural conditions for kelp cultivation, the industry remains underdeveloped in this area.

The project will generate new knowledge on seedling production, genetic adaptation and best practices for growing sugar kelp under subarctic conditions. Laboratory experiments are combined with field validation at sea to improve understanding of the species’ life cycle, temperature tolerance and local ecotypes.

At the same time, the project places strong emphasis on outreach and knowledge transfer to increase competence, acceptance and interest in kelp cultivation among industry actors, local communities and management authorities.

The overall goal is to help establish sugar kelp cultivation as a new and sustainable marine industry—and a key contributor to the green transition in Northern Norway.