November 27, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(VANCOUVER, BC) – Today Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced three new ocean innovation projects valued at $22.1 million, including the $15.5 million Enabling Scalable Seaweed Restoration & Cultivation Project led by Canadian Pacifico Seaweeds.
This project aims to revolutionize seaweed seeding technology through the development and commercialization of KelpSpat™. This breakthrough adhesive and automation system improves kelp seed survival rates by up to 400 per cent, enabling large-scale sustainable cultivation and seaforestation.
The project is led by Richmond, BC-based Canadian Pacifico Seaweeds, with 13 partners and collaborators across aquaculture, Indigenous communities, non-profits, and academia. Partners include Bamfield, BC-based Canadian Kelp Resources Ltd, Vancouver, BC-based Bioform Technologies Inc, Campbell River, BC-based Wei Wai Kum First Nation, and Vancouver, BC-based Inbada Holdings.
With a total project value of $15.5 million, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is investing $5.8 million, with the balance of funding coming from project partners.
The project includes trials at Indigenous-stewarded farms and explores commercialization pathways for food-grade seaweed, functional foods, performance ingredients, bioplastics feedstock, and regenerative ocean conservation. It supports rural communities, strengthens aquaculture, and contributes to global ocean health, while positioning Canada as a global leader in cold-water seaweed cultivation and exports. It also provides the opportunity to tap into the $1.3 billion global edible dried seaweed market, as well as related food system markets such as plant health and animal nutrition through agricultural programs – leveraging Canada’s cold-water advantage and growing expertise in sustainable seaweed farming. With projections that the global seaweed industry alone will reach $28 billion annually by 2050, there is substantial room for growth in this sector.
Through Ambition 2035 and together with Canada’s ocean community, we are bold in our ambition to grow Canada’s ocean economy 5X to $220 billion by 2035. Continued investment in the accelerated development and commercialization of globally relevant, made in Canada ocean solutions will help us realize this ambition. Read more about recommendations to help achieve this transformational growth opportunity outlined in Charting the Course to 5X Growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy and the projected benefits to Canada here.
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Media Contacts
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved about 150 projects valued at more than $500 million, which will deliver more than 300 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. Every dollar invested in Ocean Supercluster projects generates more than five times its value in GDP contribution, with the following economic benefits to Canada as of March 2025:
- $1.7 billion in total economic output
- $1 billion in GDP contribution
- ️Nearly $748 million in total labour income
- ️Close to 10,000 jobs created
- ️$286 million in total tax revenues generated
- ️$295 million in follow-on investment raised
Quotes
“Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is driving industrial innovation, accelerating the adoption of sustainable technologies and strengthening Canada’s economy. By advancing electrification solutions, robotics and automation, these projects are boosting productivity, creating high-quality jobs and positioning Canada’s marine and offshore industries as global leaders in the blue economy.” – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
“Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and its partners are doing innovative, groundbreaking work. Their collaborative efforts are placing Canada at the forefront of sustainable ocean technology, with innovative advancements in electrification solutions, robotics and automation. Together, these projects are tackling some of the most complex challenges in the ocean economy and driving meaningful change for a more prosperous, sustainable future.” – Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation
“By advancing technology that makes large-scale seaweed cultivation possible, the Enabling Scalable Seaweed Restoration & Cultivation Project not only strengthens our aquaculture sector, but also contributes to climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable growth for Canadian coastal communities.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“At a time when global priorities are shifting toward defence, food security, and economic resilience, it’s critical that Canada looks inward to its greatest strengths: our natural resources. Seaweed is one of them. By processing and manufacturing more of our raw materials into finished goods here at home, we can build a stronger, more self-reliant economy that contributes directly to national resilience.” – Majid Hajibeigy, Founder & CEO, Canadian Pacifico Seaweeds