Connecticut Sea Grant expert, kelp farmer interviewed for NBC Today show

April 17, 2023

Story by Judy Benson, Connecticut Sea Grant

Adding farmed seafood to your plate is a great way to go green! This Earth Week, Al Roker and NBC’s Today show profiled aquaculture, or seafood farming, as part of their climate solution coverage.

While shellfish aquaculture is more common, seaweed farming in Long Island Sound is the particular focus of an NBC Today show segment that aired April 17 featuring Connecticut Sea Grant’s Anoushka Concepcion sharing her expertise about this emerging industry. The piece also showcased seaweed and abalone aquaculture in California and the environmental benefits of ocean farming.

NBC weatherman Roker, who was named a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) emissary, interviewed Concepcion, CTSG associate extension educator, and Copps Island Oysters owner Norm Bloom in the segment. Bloom is one of several aquaculture farmers growing native kelp in the waters of Long Island Sound. Bloom is shown harvesting some of his kelp on a tour to the growing site aboard the NOAA Milford Laboratory’s research vessel and one of Bloom’s boats. Kelp is a nutritious edible seaweed that is also used in cosmetics, fertilizer and other products.

“I hope the Today show viewers will have a better understanding of the potential benefits, and practical challenges, of this emerging aquaculture sector,” said Concepcion, who led the establishment of the National Seaweed Hub among other initiatives to advance the seaweed industry.

See the segment here

The story was timed in recognition of Earth Day on April 22. The Today show is broadcast on NBC stations across the country. It is also available on its live streaming service: https://www.today.com/allday?icid=allday_hp_header.

Images of Sea Grant's work in research, education and extension provided by (from left to right) Wisconsin, Guam and Florida Sea Grant programs. Design by Hallee Meltzer | National Sea Grant Office.

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