Is seaweed nutritious? And 5 other facts about seaweed

Seaweed, particularly kelp, serves as a nutrient-dense superfood and a versatile raw material for products ranging from fertilizer to printer ink. Environmentally, it improves water quality by absorbing nitrogen and phosphorous, provides habitats for marine wildlife, and requires no land, freshwater, pesticides, or fertilizers to grow. From a climate perspective, seaweed can store greenhouse gases, buffer against ocean acidification, and reduce the global food system's carbon footprint. In the US, specifically Maine, the industry faces regulatory hurdles regarding permitting, despite offering clean, alternative income for fishers.

• Kelp is considered a superfood that provides antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and B12, and is a primary source of iodine, which is critical for thyroid issues and pregnancy.
• Seaweed farming supports marine biodiversity by creating nurseries for young lobsters and small fish, and it improves water quality by absorbing phosphorous and nitrogen runoff.
• Integrating seaweed into diets can reduce pressure on scarce freshwater resources and prevent deforestation by reducing the need to convert land for agricultural use.
• Seaweed contributes to climate change mitigation by storing greenhouse gases, buffering against ocean acidification, and lowering the carbon footprint of the global food system.
• In Maine, the kelp industry is hindered by a lengthy and complex permitting process involving multiple hearings that can last for years.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). Is seaweed nutritious? And 5 other facts about seaweed. https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/is-seaweed-nutritious-and-5-other-facts-about-seaweed/

Chicago

WWF International. Is seaweed nutritious? And 5 other facts about seaweed. n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/is-seaweed-nutritious-and-5-other-facts-about-seaweed/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Is seaweed nutritious? And 5 other facts about seaweed |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/is-seaweed-nutritious-and-5-other-facts-about-seaweed/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndseaweed, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Is seaweed nutritious? And 5 other facts about seaweed}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/is-seaweed-nutritious-and-5-other-facts-about-seaweed/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }