JBV Project Report Q4 2024

​

WP 1: Site Selection Pilot and Full-Scale Permitting

KOASTAL’s permitting work has continued to yield results, with one full-scale permit (6.5 ha) now officially granted, pending only the outcome of a short appeal period. This represents a major milestone in a process we’ve continuously refined. Nine pilot farms are currently approved, with additional applications under review. Our ability to streamline permitting timelines has improved significantly, thanks in part to a tested and replicable application template. While working in highly regulated, conservation-prioritized coastal areas has posed challenges, we’re now better equipped to navigate these complexities. The addition of a new legal consultant to our team has further strengthened our permitting capacity, and we’ve begun applying our methods to smaller, operational permits as well. The pipeline of future pilot and full-scale farms looks strong heading into the second half of 2025.

​

WP 2: Optimizing the Design of Seaweed Cultivation Rigs

This season’s technical improvements have pushed the performance and reliability of our seaweed rigs to new levels. In particular, our updated spreader bar setup has proven to be stable, resilient, and cost-effective, even under harsh weather conditions. Rig instability and line entanglement, major challenges last year, have been successfully resolved through adjustments like modular spreader bars, added weights, and improved rig mobility. Preparations are also underway for the next leap in rig innovation: the deployment of our first catenary array system, scheduled for late summer in the Göteborg archipelago. On the equipment side, our shift toward standardized, locally sourced materials in bulk continues to pay off in both cost savings and operational simplicity. The rig design process is now more streamlined and better adapted to farmer capabilities and local site conditions.

​

WP 3: Designing, Testing, and Evaluating Harvesting and Processing Logistics

Operational efficiency and quality preservation have seen major gains. Our harvest systems, designed around the use of mesh bags and decentralized cold storage, now allow even small fishing vessels to carry out effective and scalable harvesting operations. Seaweed is now stabilized in 10–15kg blast-frozen blocks, a new standard that preserves quality better and meets the expectations of our buyers. This approach has already sparked new conversations with potential partners and clients. We also saw encouraging signs of farmers selling seaweed directly through their own local channels (incl. restaurants and fish auctions), often at better margins than our central buy-back model. While some small packaging steps remain time-consuming and manual, we’ve identified clear areas for improvement that will help scale operations further. Altogether, our approach to integrating with existing fishing infrastructure is proving both efficient and replicable.

​

WP 4: Data Recording, Analysis, and Reporting Software

We continue to evolve our digital tool, Track’n’Trace, which helps farmers collect and manage data from cultivation through harvest and delivery. This season, we introduced a new Epiphyte Cell Count (ECC) system — a simple, visual method for assessing product quality — that has already proven useful for both farmer education and buyer communication. We also improved the photo-logging feature and location tagging, making it easier for farmers to document crop development. In terms of environmental monitoring, we’ve successfully integrated data from on-site loggers with public sources like SMHI and satellite observations. While data analysis is still in early stages, these tools are laying the foundation for a future where we can better understand how local conditions shape yields and crop quality. Our focus remains on simplicity and usability, ensuring these tools add value without creating burdens for the farmer.​

​

WP 5: Farmer Onboarding, Education, and Assistance

Farmer engagement remains both our greatest opportunity and most persistent challenge. While some farmers exited the program this year, often due to competing income opportunities, others achieved real commercial success. This has prompted us to revisit our partnership model. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we are now designing a “network model” that allows for a wider range of farmer roles and responsibilities. In this model, KOASTAL takes the lead on knowledge transfer and technical support, while farmers take on more ownership of logistics and operational infrastructure. This shift is intended to support both highly independent growers and those seeking a more structured collaboration. Our onboarding strategy is also evolving, with a stronger focus on experienced fishers who already have the tools and motivation to scale their seaweed operations. With each new season, we’re learning what it takes to build a reliable, motivated, and professional farmer network, and that will be one of our most important drivers of success.