The Marine Bioproducts CRC travelled to Eden for a Kelp Demonstration Day, bringing together industry, community, and government to celebrate a shared vision for a thriving kelp industry in New South Wales.
The event culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Marine Bioproducts CRC, AusKelp, Ocean2Earth, and Bega Circular Economy, establishing a multimillion-dollar research and development program to advance kelp farming and biostimulant manufacturing in the region.
The day began on the water at Disaster Bay, where Chris Ride, Founder and Managing Director of AusKelp and fifth-generation Wonboyn local business owner, lifted lines of kelp through calm swells to demonstrate to the Marine Bioproducts CRC, Anthony Dyer (Chief Commercial Officer), Daniel E. Abrahams (CEO), and John Gunn (Chair), how seeding, cultivation, and harvesting take place on the farm.
The group then moved ashore for a processing demonstration, watching fresh kelp being cleaned and prepared for food and other high-value products. After lunch, discussions turned to the future of the kelp industry in New South Wales, with partners working together to align priorities and map the path to market. The day concluded with a collective pledge of support, affirming a shared commitment to science, infrastructure, and new opportunities for regional growth.
“Today has been a long time coming,” Chris said. “It’s a really important moment for us to come together and build a clear pathway to commercialisation. Our goal is to see a thriving kelp industry that attracts investment, creates local jobs, and delivers lasting benefits for this regional community.”
Throughout the day, the group met with local and federal stakeholders, including Bega Valley Shire Council Mayor Russel Fitzpatrick and Bega Circular Economy CEO Andrew Taylor, representatives from NSW Regional Development, and the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council. Their presence highlighted the strong community and government support driving the growth of a sustainable kelp industry in the region.
“This is truly unprecedented,” said John Gunn, Chair of the Marine Bioproducts CRC. “You can’t fully appreciate what’s happening here until you see it for yourself, the farm, the facilities, and the potential. Bringing everyone together to talk about what is possible for this industry was incredibly productive.”
The Kelp Demonstration Day showcased collaboration in action, uniting science, industry, community, and government around a shared vision for a sustainable seaweed future. With strong partnerships and clear momentum, New South Wales is poised to become a national leader in kelp farming, bioproduct innovation, and regional growth.
See the seaweed at Disaster Bay, NSW, here: Watch on YouTube
Learn more about the Australia seaweed industry here: The Official Blueprint for Seaweed in Australia — Australian Seaweed Institute
AusKelp Founder and Managing Director and local business owner, Chris Ride, showcases Golden Kelp (Ecklonia radiata), a native brown seaweed found in Australia’s cooler coastal waters, to the Marine Bioproducts CRC Chair, John Gunn.
Golden Kelp is high in protein and rich in nutrients and can be cooked or used for a range of other marine bioproducts, including supplements and fertilisers (image source: AusKelp).
Ocean2Earth is an Australian owned and operated business, producing agriculture solutions manufactured in the Bega Valley (L-R): Kel Henry (Director, Ocean2Earth), Tim Crane (Product Development Manager, Ocean2Earth), John Gunn (Chair, Marine Bioproducts CRC), and Kyran Crane (General Manager, Ocean2Earth).
The Kelp Demonstration collaboration marks the beginning of a major collaboration between Marine Bioproducts CRC, AusKelp, Ocean2Earth, and Bega Circular Economy, signed and celebrated from the Snug Cove Wharf in Eden.