HoldFastNL Seaweed Company
HoldFast NL completed its first commercial sugar kelp harvest in St. Mary’s Bay, bringing in about 18,000 pounds from 10 cultivation lines. The strong growth reflects the company’s momentum in building Newfoundland and Labrador’s seaweed sector. The article highlights how HoldFast NL is turning this harvest into value-added products like their BioStim plant booster while expanding their role in sustainable aquaculture.
This article outlines HoldFast NL’s partnership with Coastal Carbon on a $1.6M Ocean Supercluster project to create AI-enabled sensors that remotely monitor seaweed growth. The technology aims to give farmers accurate, low-cost biomass measurements, helping improve harvest planning and expand the accessibility of seaweed farming—especially for smaller or remote operators.
The VOCM article highlights HoldFast NL’s innovative pilot project in Conception Bay South, where the company is testing native seaweed as a natural biofilter for municipal wastewater. By placing a “seaweed curtain” near the outfall, the kelp absorbs excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, helping improve coastal water quality. Once matured, the seaweed can be harvested and repurposed—such as for fertilizer—showcasing a sustainable, cost-effective approach to environmental management and local resource use.