About the project
This project, co-financed by Jordbruksverket, commenced in September 2023 and will continue until September 2025. It aims to test an innovative business model in real conditions for deploying small-scale sea-based seaweed farms. KOASTAL provides customers, such as fishers, with a turnkey farm package and a buy-back guarantee for their crops, fostering the growth of local small-scale seaweed farming.
About Jordbruksverket
The Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) plays a vital role in supporting rural development and sustainable agricultural practices in Sweden. It provides information and regulations related to animals, plants, food, and beverages, focusing on trade and health standards. The agency also oversees the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Programme, offering support for rural development measures and agri-environmental payments. Jordbruksverket is a key co-financier of projects that promote innovative agricultural solutions, such as the development and customer piloting of sustainable seaweed cultivation models.
About KOASTAL
KOASTAL is developing the most resource-efficient production system of seaweed biomass using a franchise model building on the current resources of the fishing industry. We help fishers set up, operate and scale their farms, and aggregate and certify their production to result in the best product-market fit for large-scale buyers.
JBV Project Report Q1 2025
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WP 1: Site Selection Pilot and Full-Scale Permitting
This summer we focused on advancing large-scale permits. One major license is already granted, with two others in their final court stages and three more in consultation. Pilot sites are not a bottleneck anymore, 13 are approved and ready. We also refined our permitting templates and expanded them to operational permits, ensuring faster, more flexible approvals moving forward.
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WP 2: Optimizing the Design of Seaweed Cultivation Rigs
We prepared for the next big step: scaling up with catenary-inspired systems. These setups allow for high-density growlines but are usually only manageable with large crane vessels. Our approach combines the benefits of catenary with the flexibility of spreader-bar designs, so farmers can still operate from small fishing boats. A >10 km trial is now planned on the Hunnebostrand site this coming season.
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WP 3: Designing, Testing, and Evaluating Harvesting and Processing Logistics
We improved harvesting efficiency by shifting from 1m³ mesh bags to continuous “sausages,” cutting handling time while keeping seaweed cooled in-water. On the product side, we launched a new commodity format that received strong B2B validation. A term sheet has been signed to sell the entire upcoming harvest, proving both the logistics and the product model.
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WP 4: Data Recording, Analysis, and Reporting Software
Our Epiphyte Cell Count (ECC) quality metric gained further validation, with customers confirming it matches expectations. Safety and nutritional parameters again tested positively. Traceability is in place but too resource-intensive, so we’re simplifying it and integrating it into semi-automated packaging. At the same time, we’ve kicked off organic and food-grade certification for the Hunnebostrand farm to pave the way for premium pricing.​
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WP 5: Farmer Onboarding, Education, and Assistance
​We formally shifted strategy: farmers now self-finance and operate their own farms, joining the network to benefit from KOASTAL’s templates, methods, and risk management. To drive faster innovation, KOASTAL will also run a central “mother farm” in Hunnebostrand, serving as a hub for testing rigs, protocols, and certifications. This season, we move forward with four committed, long-term oriented farmers aligned with this model.
KOASTAL is proud to share the latest developments in our effort to build a regenerative, small-scale seaweed farming sector. Over the past months, we’ve made steady progress on permitting, farm design, operations, digital tools, and farmer engagement, each a key building block toward a robust and scalable model.
Conclusion
The past season has confirmed the strength of our foundational approach: standardized but adaptable, rooted in collaboration, and built for real-world conditions. As we prepare for our next cultivation cycle and the first deployments of new rig systems, we remain committed to a vision where seaweed farming becomes a sustainable and rewarding livelihood option for coastal communities. We thank our advisors, partners, and farmers for their continued trust and support and look forward to sharing the next steps with you soon.