AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles today announced that it has secured an expanded permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) that will significantly broaden the marine algae research, cultivation, and outplanting activities that AltaSea and Kelp Ark can conduct in and around the Port of Los Angeles. The expanded authorization will help researchers better understand how kelp grows in different environments and explore new approaches to restoring California’s kelp forests.

The expanded Scientific Collecting Permit (SCP) covers additional collection locations, including Smith Island, Terminal Island, Ports O’Call, Cabrillo Beach, Cabrillo Way Marina, and the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors, as well as a broader range of marine algae species.

“This expanded permit is an important step forward for our work with Kelp Ark and our broader mission to advance ocean research and develop solutions that help restore and protect our marine ecosystems,” said AltaSea President & CEO Terry Tamminen. “The ocean holds enormous potential for addressing some of our most pressing environmental challenges, and this gives our researchers additional tools to study, cultivate, and better understand these critical marine species in a responsible way.”

Kelp forests are among the most productive marine ecosystems in the world, providing food and shelter for a wide range of marine species. AltaSea and Kelp Ark’s research is aimed at improving the understanding, cultivation, and long-term health of these important underwater habitats.

The expanded authorization includes giant kelp, oarweed, several Ulva species, and several red algae species.

“The biodiversity of marine algae within the Port of Los Angeles could hold untapped genetic potential for building resilience in the face of climate change,” said Kevin Gaines, Director of Operations for Kelp Ark. “This expanded permit allows us to explore that diversity, preserve valuable genetic resources in our living biobank, and advance conservation, restoration, and sustainable aquaculture.”

The expanded permit follows a review process that began in February 2026, during which AltaSea worked closely with CDFW to establish specific requirements for collecting, cultivating, and outplanting marine algae. The permit also includes monitoring and environmental safeguards to ensure research activities are conducted responsibly.

The expanded authorization builds on AltaSea’s growing work in regenerative aquaculture and marine research. AltaSea’s 35-acre ocean technology campus provides researchers and innovators with direct access to the water at the Port of Los Angeles, creating opportunities to move scientific research from the laboratory into real-world marine environments.

About AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles

AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, located on 35 acres at North America’s leading seaport by both container volume and cargo value, is an ocean technology campus that has become a hub for marine science, research, and education. AltaSea brings together companies, researchers, colleges and universities working to develop solutions to climate change through the ocean. AltaSea is dedicated to accelerating scientific collaboration, advancing an emerging blue economy through business innovation and job creation, and inspiring the next generation, all for a more sustainable, just, and equitable world.

For more information, please visit www.altasea.org.

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