29 October 2025 news

The Sea4Health project has reached an exciting milestone with the successful deployment of sugar kelp and winged kelp seedlings at two cultivation sites in Troms county in northern Norway. The deployment outside Kvaløya and Finnsnes is the first trial at Akvaplan-niva with winged kelp. We also believe that this is the first time that this species is cultivated so far north.

Sanna Majaneva and Xinxin Wang (project leader in front) from Akvaplan-niva at the site outside Kvaløya

The kelp seedlings for this deployment were produced earlier this autumn and have now been transferred to sea for the grow-out phase. Favorable weather conditions ensured efficient deployment and secure installation of the cultivation lines.

Ronan Gombau from Norway Naturals at the site outside Finnsnes

Researchers and field teams will closely monitor key environmental parameters, growth and biodiversity changes in the time to come. With this deployment now in place, the team looks very much ahead to the first check on rope development later this season.

Sanna Majaneva (left) and Laurids Nørskov Enevoldsen from Akvaplan-niva. Laurids will be central in looking after the production ropes outside our research station at Kvaløya.