Identifying and Addressing Process-related Challenges to the Expansion of Sea Vegetable Aquaculture in Connecticut  

Interest in sea vegetable aquaculture in Southern New England is increasing, however, lack of federal

guidelines regulating domestically cultivated sea vegetables poses a challenge to the expansion of this potentially new industry. The leading aquaculture regulatory agency in Connecticut requires guidelines be in place for any organism cultivated and processed in the state. Lack of approved processing facilities poses an additional challenge to potential sea vegetable producers. Identifying and addressing potential hazards associated with the aquaculture and processing of sea vegetables will lead to established guidelines allowing for the sale of sea vegetables for human consumption. Objectives of this project will include the production of a hazards guidance document which will include any biological, chemical, or physical hazards, on the production and processing of sea vegetables in Connecticut. In addition, companion GMPs, SOPs, and SSOPs will also be produced. Processing techniques on sea vegetables will be conducted to determine if and where hazards exist. In addition, investigations into processing facilities for sea vegetables in Connecticut will be conducted.