WASHINGTON POST • July 27, 2022
As the CEO and president of Atlantic Sea Farms, 38-year-old Briana Warner is using seaweed to quietly revolutionize Maine’s struggling fishing industry. Up and down the Maine coast, thousands of lines have been planted by fishermen growing seaweed in partnership with her company. In the fall, the fishermen plant tiny kelp seeds on the 1,000-foot-long ropes, and by late spring, attached to each one is close to 6,000 pounds of fresh sugar kelp. The seaweed is harvested, flash frozen and used to make kelp cubes for smoothies, as well as seaweed salad, seaweed kraut and more. Seaweed is Maine’s new cash crop.