From Big Waves to Ocean Regeneration: Building a Regenerative Seaweed Farm in Nazaré
- FAM Foundation
- May 7
- 3 min read
Nazaré is globally recognised for the power of its waves and the deep relationship between the local community and the Atlantic Ocean. It is now becoming the setting for a new type of ocean innovation — one that combines marine restoration, science-based sustainability and community engagement.
Supported by the FAM Foundation, through GRANTS 2025_2026 impact investment fund, the Nazaré Regenerative Seaweed Farm project, developed by the Hope Zones Foundation, aims to create a regenerative aquaculture model capable of restoring marine ecosystems while generating environmental, social and economic value.
The initiative is led by João Macedo, Portuguese big wave surfer, co-founder and president of Hope Zones Foundation, whose connection to Nazaré and the ocean inspired the project’s vision. As highlighted in the project presentation, the initiative seeks to transform the region’s strong ocean identity into a practical contribution to marine conservation and climate resilience.
Why Nazaré?
The project focuses on the cultivation of native kelp species along the Nazaré coast, an area strongly influenced by the Nazaré submarine canyon — a unique oceanographic feature that supports rich biodiversity and highly productive marine ecosystems.
The selected location combines several strategic advantages: resilient and fast-growing kelp species, strong ocean dynamics, biodiversity significance and international visibility. At the same time, seaweed ecosystems increasingly face environmental pressures linked to climate change and ecosystem degradation, reinforcing the need for restoration-oriented approaches.
Regenerative Aquaculture and Ocean Restoration
Unlike traditional extractive models, regenerative seaweed farming seeks to actively improve ecosystem health. The project aims to contribute to environmental restoration by supporting marine habitat recovery, biodiversity enhancement and improved ecological balance.
The cultivation of native kelp species is also expected to contribute to carbon sequestration through blue carbon processes, helping mitigate climate change while creating sustainable marine biomass.
Beyond environmental impact, the initiative places strong emphasis on local community involvement. By engaging fishermen and coastal stakeholders, the project aims to generate new economic opportunities, promote education and training, and support intergenerational collaboration within the local fishing community.
The long-term vision also includes the production of biofertilizers and the development of future blue carbon certification opportunities, contributing to the financial sustainability of the model.
Science-Driven Innovation
A central component of the project is its strong scientific and research dimension. The initiative combines ecological monitoring, restoration science and applied marine research to develop a scalable and evidence-based model for coastal resilience and sustainable marine resource use.
The scientific work will be carried out in partnership with MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre and the Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, with João Franco leading the scientific and monitoring activities. Operational support is also provided by Open Climate Solutions and Kelson Marine.
The research programme includes a rigorous Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) ecological assessment, including eDNA biodiversity analysis before the installation of the farm. The project will also involve laboratory conditioning and deployment of native kelp species such as Laminaria ochroleuca and Saccorhiza polyschides, followed by long-term ecological monitoring of benthic and pelagic communities.
The monitoring phase will evaluate ecosystem changes and the farm’s blue carbon potential, with results expected to contribute to open-access scientific publications and broader knowledge sharing.
A Scalable Model for Coastal Resilience
The project has been designed as a long-term and scalable model. Backed by a 10-year operational license and future large-scale production potential, the initiative aims to demonstrate how regenerative aquaculture can simultaneously support biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation and sustainable economic development.
In a region famous for giant waves, this initiative represents a different kind of movement — one focused not on conquering the ocean, but on helping restore and regenerate it for future generations.
For the FAM Foundation, the Nazaré Regenerative Seaweed Farm reflects a strong alignment with its mission to support science-based innovation and sustainable ocean solutions. By connecting marine science, local communities and regenerative economic models, the project contributes directly to SDG 14 – Life Below Water while helping shape more resilient relationships between people and the ocean.
