Spore BankSpore BankCalifornia Sea Grant

Availability

What is available now, and what is not

California has seaweed seed production. What it does not have is a market in seed. This matrix separates the two, honestly, with a source on every row.

  • Available now

    Documented as obtainable now, subject to contacting the source.

  • Seasonal

    Produced in a specific window; timing decides whether you get it.

  • Research only

    Exists, but supplied under a research or restoration agreement.

  • Not available in CA

    Produced in-house only, or not offered to outside growers.

  • Unconfirmed

    We could not confirm it from a public source.

Bull kelp

The most advanced species for California seed research: active gametophyte banking, seeded twine trials in Humboldt Bay, and tribal restoration programs on the North Coast.

Nereocystis luetkeana

SourceSeed formStatusSeasonLead time
Cal Poly Humboldt — Fisheries Biology / ProvidenSeaNorth Coastgametophyte cultureResearch onlyCultures maintained year roundArranged per project
Cal Poly Humboldt — Fisheries Biology / ProvidenSeaNorth Coastseeded twineResearch onlyWinter to spring outplanting in Humboldt BayArranged per project
Sunken SeaweedStatewideseeded twineSeasonalHumboldt Bay hatchery and nursery, seasonalContact company
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories — Aquaculture FacilityCentral Coastgametophyte cultureResearch onlyCLASH project runs through 2026Arranged per project
Bull Kelp Gametophyte Bank — Alberto Lab / California Sea GrantNorth Coastgametophyte cultureResearch onlyConservation bank, restoration useBy agreement
Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation — Kelp GuardiansNorth Coastgametophyte cultureResearch onlyProgram runs 2024 to 2026By agreement
North Coast Kelp Recovery ConsortiumNorth Coastoutplanting stockResearch onlyRestoration experimentsBy agreement
Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe — kelp spore preservationOut of statepreserved sporesResearch onlyWashington restoration programBy agreement

Giant kelp

The only species with a permitted commercial-scale offshore farm in California. Seed is produced in-house for that farm.

Macrocystis pyrifera

SourceSeed formStatusSeasonLead time
Ocean Rainforest Inc.South Coastseeded lineNot available in CAProduced for own offshore farmNot offered

Winged kelp

Experimental seed production only, using a germplasm approach in bioreactor work at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Alaria marginata

SourceSeed formStatusSeasonLead time
Cal Poly Humboldt — Fisheries Biology / ProvidenSeaNorth Coastgametophyte cultureResearch onlyExperimental germplasm workArranged per project

Sea lettuce

Farmed commercially at small scale. Hatchery culture demonstrated through the CLASH hatchery technology project.

Ulva spp.

SourceSeed formStatusSeasonLead time
Sunken SeaweedStatewidehatchery nursery stockAvailable nowYear round land-based cultureContact company
Monterey Bay SeaweedsCentral Coasttank culture stockNot available in CALive product sold, seed not offeredNot offered
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories — Aquaculture FacilityCentral Coastresearch culture stockResearch onlyCLASH project runs through 2026Arranged per project

Dulse

Grown in land-based tanks and sold as live product. Culture stock appears to be maintained in-house.

Devaleraea / Palmaria spp.

SourceSeed formStatusSeasonLead time
Monterey Bay SeaweedsCentral Coasttank culture stockNot available in CALive product sold, seed not offeredNot offered

Ogo

Grown in land-based tanks in Monterey Bay. No published third-party seed source.

Gracilaria spp.

SourceSeed formStatusSeasonLead time
Monterey Bay SeaweedsCentral Coasttank culture stockNot available in CALive product sold, seed not offeredNot offered

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