Seaweed for Suffolk County
Suffolk County Aquaculture Leasing: An Open Letter
To: The Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning
Subject: Support for Kelp In Suffolk County
Suffolk County faces a ripe opportunity to create and benefit from a thriving seaweed industry by adding seaweed aquaculture to its lease program. Through our enthusiasm and partnership with the county for efforts both currently underway and future, we at Lazy Point Farms encourage and endorse this proposed effort.
Our project name, Lazy Point Farms, reflects our initial dream of kelp farming near our home in Amagansett. The lack of a local leasing program forced us to pivot. Despite this setback, our deep respect for the water (my husband's an avid sailor, and my parents owned and operated the seafood shop in my hometown) fueled our determination. We channeled our energy toward educating ourselves on the gaps that the industry currently faces, which allowed us to begin supporting the expertise already alive and well in New York to serve the comparatively few growers who are allowed to cultivate seaweed. Today, we are here to “help New York own its most urgent opportunities.” From assisting with securing some of NY’s first commercial permits and hatchery advancement to promising market products, we’re proud of the deep, meaningful progress we’ve made to support New York's nascent seaweed industry at every stage. What we’re most proud of is the fact that the progress we’ve made does not live with our project; it’s woven into the local kelp community.
There are too many benefits, and potential applications, of seaweed in New York to list here, and we’re sure others will voice their support in this way. We present our case for this regularly on our blog, websites, and social media.
Governor Hochul's view of organized seaweed activity as 'premature' seems ironic considering (1) the demonstrable success of sustainable seaweed industries in other regions around the world and (2) seaweed's (billions of years-long) history as a critical part of our planet's ecosystem. Human impact has reduced its presence, so now is the time to embrace seaweed's potential for a more sustainable future, especially in light of the urgent environmental challenges we face.
The co-signers listed below are from our community and beyond. While this decision may seem local, its impact is far-reaching. A thriving seaweed industry here in Suffolk County would benefit not just our own communities but also the 8.5 million people in NYC, the Hudson Valley, upstate New York, and even the entire nation. Imagine the countless businesses across the U.S. that could finally source their seaweed products locally instead of relying on imports from overseas.
Suffolk County has the potential to grow into a national leader in seaweed production. We regularly meet and receive emails from enthusiastic people – local small business owners, researchers from world-renowned institutions, and others – who eagerly await the possibilities locally sourced commercial seaweed would offer. These individuals are interested in using seaweed for a variety of innovative products, including sustainable plastics, vegan leather, building materials, hydrogels, fabric, animal feed, gardening supplies, concrete, and food.
New York is behind the curve. Farmers in these proposed waters, hopeful for access to growing seaweed, have been hamstrung, watching other farmers in other nearby waterbodies enjoy ever-accumulating experience and success. I receive requests all the time asking for help setting up shop in these proposed areas, and I’m faced with issuing the same frustrating advice: “hang tight.” Despite its lag, New York has the potential to leapfrog over and propel far further than our more advanced neighbors, drawing on unparalleled innovation, resources, and market potential. Your opportunity is ripe: other states might enjoy longer growing seasons and more experience, but they cannot compete with the crushing talent, resources, and creative innovation of New York.
We understand some community members have raised concerns about potential conflicts between kelp gear and boating activities, as well as the visual impact on our beautiful waterways. Let's address these concerns and highlight the benefits boaters and homeowners can experience from a kelp farm.
Kelp is a seasonal crop. Kelp farming equipment appears in the water during the off-season (late November) and is removed before boating season begins.
Enhanced marine life. Boaters who do enjoy fishing during the winter months might find the kelp attracts a wider variety of marine life, potentially improving their fishing experience.
Environmental benefits. Kelp helps reduce nitrogen loading, harmful algae blooms, and storm surge, creating a healthier environment for everyone.
Sharing our waters. Kelp buoys dotting the horizon are a powerful symbol of collaboration in our community. They represent people working together to create a healthier and more vibrant ecosystem for all to enjoy.
Lazy Point Farms is proud to have supported municipalities like Hempstead and Huntington with their cultivation and processing efforts. We are so sincerely grateful to support commercial, nonprofit, and town projects- from our most compromised urban waterways to some of Long Island’s best food-certified waters. More recently, we are grateful for the opportunity for our continued collaboration on our exciting project currently underway for Suffolk County in advance of this year’s harvest. We hope our commitment so far on our recent weekly calls can serve as a testament: we are humbled for the chance to continue volunteering our time in support of this industry every single day of the year.
Last but not least, Lazy Point Farms supports the Shinnecock Nation’s request, and the right of other tribes (Setalcott, Unkechaug) to negotiate with you the accessibility of these proposed waters.
We look forward to the opportunity to be of service to your current and future seaweed programs.
Sincerely,
Wendy & Justin Moore
The Moore Family Charitable Foundation, Lazy Point Farms
Co-endorsees:
Lucy Barnes
Abigail Blessington, The Montauk Seaweed Supply Company Treehouse Brooklyn
Garrett Chelius — “The Town of Huntington Department of Maritime Services is proud to be working with Lazy Point forms on the cultivation and harvest of sugar kelp (Saccharina Latissima). We are in the second year of our program, last year we produced 200 feet of kelp which yielded 250 pounds of kelp. During the growing season the kelp is improving our waters, after the harvest the kelp is used as a soil amendment for the Town’s parks and golf courses. Last year’s program was so successful the Town and Lazy Point applied for and received DEC permits for 1400 feet of kelp this season which is currently growing in our waterways.”
Zachary Davonski — “It’s time for seaweed aquaculture on Long Island to get the regulatory support it needs to develop.”
Samantha Dickhut
Jacob Feibusch, Davy Jones Shellfish Co.
Daniel Fry
Peter Galletto
Bob Hatton
Mark Haubner, Resident of the Peconic Bioregion — “Let’s increase our opportunities and our resilience through creative efforts like this one.”
William Hart, Hart Hatchery
Christie Jones
Elizabeth Kelly, PhD
Eric Koepele, North Fork Big Oyster
Michael Kurtz, farmer — “Odd that there is any objection to such a benevolent activity.” Tara Lingg
Mike Martinsen — “Please don’t limit to Peconic and Gardiners Bays. I have a lease in Napeague Bay that is perfect for kelp ops and part of the County jurisdiction.”
Elaine Moore
Lindsay Moore
Mary Morgan — “Seaweed and oyster farming are tremendously beneficial to our fresh local food econ- omy, and our fishing industry benefits from their environmental effects.”
Oscar Mukiri, Mwani World — “Forbes listed seaweed farming as one of the top jobs of 2030. There’s lit- tle input, after capital investment yet immense benefits healthwise, environmentally, economically et al.”
Gabriel Newman
Alyson P.
John Poiarkoff
Bailey Rodriguez, Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson Troop 2426 — “I am doing Girl Scout Gold Award project on the benefits of sugar kelp on the environment. I think this is a very important cause.”
Meredith Rosenberg, Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson Troop 2426
Jack Tulley — “The comments by the governor that seaweed as a crop is still to early to consider is short sided. Considering all the success by so many of the northeast states, particularly Connecticut right across the water from us makes her comments laughable. With the almost complete loss of the bay scallops and the drop on lobster harvest we need another source of income for aquaculture and seaweed is the perfect fit. It is native to the waters, is very profitable and it compliments the summer season of fishing and shellfish harvesting. It’s a no brainer.”
Elizabeth Savage, Hart Hatchery
Chris Scully, organic gardening guru — “Kelp is amazing and if you read the history books Horseshoe crab shells are amazing also.”
Sebonac Inlet Oyster Farm — “100%”
Sierra Club Long Island Group
Thomas Thornton, Oyster Bay Shellfish Co.
Tara Vamos
Tessa, Long Islander — “Support Local Aquaculture!”
Susan Wicks, Violet Cove Oysters
Samuel Wood
Jess Wright
James Wylie, REACH Rotary Club — “With the Town of Huntington and Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program, we are growing sugar kelp to improve water quality in our embayments and to stim- ulate our lawns and gardens. Lazy Point Farms and the Moore Foundation made all of this possible. Please support more sugar kelp cultivation efforts on Long Island!”
Do you agree with what we wrote? Want to add your name and endorse this message?
Do you agree with what we wrote? Want to add your name and endorse this message?