--- title: "California approves largest US kelp farm plan" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/business/california-approves-largest-us-kelp-farm-plan" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/california-approves-largest-us-kelp-farm-plan" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/california-approves-largest-us-kelp-farm-plan.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/california-approves-largest-us-kelp-farm-plan" category: "Business & Economy" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-10T14:45:59.530Z" source_reported: "2026-09-10T11:32:57.000Z" updated: "2026-09-10T14:45:59.530Z" trust_score: 86 critic_score: 95 hype_score: 18 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-10T15:45:31.151168+00:00" --- # California approves largest US kelp farm plan *Coastal officials voted to allow a company to build a 3-square-mile kelp farm 6 miles off the Ventura County coast.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 86 of 100, higher is better. 86 points – includes named officials, NOAA and World Bank data, multiple outlets, specific figures and dates. - Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. 95 points – explains relevance, quotes company and environmental group, separates facts, provides detailed figures and future outlook. - Hype 18 of 100, lower is better. 18 points – headline matches article, no sensational language or overstatement. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Coastal officials voted on Wednesday to approve a plan for the United States' largest kelp farm. - The farm will be located 6 miles off the Ventura County coast and span about 3 square miles. - Ocean Rainforest, a company from the Faroe Islands, plans to cultivate giant kelp for agricultural products. - Environmental groups raised concerns about potential whale entanglements and increased boat traffic. California coastal officials voted on Wednesday to allow a plan to build the United States’ largest kelp farm. The proposed farm will be situated 6 miles off the Ventura County coast in federal waters. Ocean Rainforest, a company based in the Faroe Islands, plans to cultivate giant kelp across approximately 3 square miles. At full capacity, the farm could produce up to 6,000 tons of kelp annually. The company intends to use the kelp to develop products for soil and plant health, particularly for California's avocado and strawberry farms. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to expand aquaculture. ## Disagreement on environmental impact Environmental groups have raised concerns that the lines used for kelp cultivation could entangle whales and that increased boat traffic might disrupt the marine environment. Ocean Rainforest stated that no whales became entangled during a two-year demonstration project. Geoff Shester of Oceana described the area as a "blue Serengeti" and compared the project to placing industrial data centres in Yosemite National Park. Cassidy Teufel, deputy director at the coastal commission, noted that seaweed farms use taut lines, unlike the looser fishing lines that cause entanglements, and that the farm would be located further offshore where marine mammal density is lower. ## What the coverage left out No right-rated reports carried this story. ## Who covered it Shares of the 19 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 42% (8) - Centre: 58% (11) - Right: 0% (0) 0 of 19 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-10T15:45:31.151168+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-10T16:15:17.220Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led with the approval of the United States’ largest kelp farm. They noted the location 6 miles off the Southern California coast and the company Ocean Rainforest, based in the Faroe Islands. These reports carried details about the farm's potential to produce 6,000 tons of kelp and its intended use for agricultural products. Environmental concerns were also a focus, with quotes from Geoff Shester of Oceana calling the area a "blue Serengeti" and comparing the project to industrial data centres in Yosemite. The potential for whale entanglements and disruption from boat traffic were mentioned, alongside Ocean Rainforest's claim of no entanglements during a demo project. The reports also included information on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's aquaculture initiative and a World Bank estimate of market growth. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports highlighted the vote by coastal officials to allow the plan for the country's largest kelp farm to proceed. They specified the location 6 miles off the Southern California coast and identified Ocean Rainforest as the company behind the project. The potential production of up to 6,000 tons of kelp and its use for agricultural purposes, such as avocado and strawberry farms, were noted. These reports also covered environmental concerns, including potential whale entanglements and increased boat traffic, and included Ocean Rainforest's statement about no entanglements during a demo project. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's designation of aquaculture areas and a World Bank projection for market growth were also present. Some reports included details about the phased approach to construction and periodic reviews by regulatory bodies. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 3 - high: 9 - unknown: 3 - veryHigh: 4 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/state/11128585/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-countrys-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward.html) — California officials allow plans for the country’s biggest kelp farm to move forward - [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/local-news/california-greenlights-nations-largest-kelp-farm-plan) — California Greenlights Nation’s Largest Kelp Farm Plan - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/greenpage/2026/09/10/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-countrys-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-country-s-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward/article_90e5941c-a41c-5f1d-858e-92fc0b94b952.html) — California officials allow plans for the country’s biggest kelp farm to move forward - [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/business/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-country-s-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward/article_44c75bd9-c160-50e5-bb5d-93c06d01269a.html) — California officials allow plans for the country’s biggest kelp farm to move forward - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-countrys-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp f - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/business/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-countrys-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward) — California officials allow plans for the country’s biggest kelp farm to move forward - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/california-united-states-pacific-ocean-southern-california-faroe-islands-b3047883.html) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/california-kelp-farm-ocean-a2d481650bae0a7036304aa60a1e5b07) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/california-united-states-pacific-ocean-southern-california-faroe-islands-b3047883.html) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward - [LancasterOnline](https://lancasteronline.com/news/national/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-countrys-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward/article_e6f45318-b3a9-547e-aaf1-90f31512902f.html) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward - [The Northern Virginia Daily](https://nvdaily.com/associated_press_national/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-countrys-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward/article_67abe8f4-b461-53b6-9b62-1e8b1cae9baa.html) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward - [Santa Maria Times](https://santamariatimes.com/ap/business/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-countrys-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward/article_7f8fe488-4b9d-519e-92cd-28531f0e4252.html) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward - [The Lawton Constitution](https://swoknews.com/ap/business/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-countrys-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward/article_598de3fc-c008-5892-b1b8-c74df8eb29c7.html) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward - [abc News](https://abcnews.com/Business/wireStory/california-officials-plans-countrys-biggest-kelp-farm-move-136329242) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/business/2026/09/10/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-countrys-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward - [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/09/10/nation/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-countrys-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward - [WSLS](https://wsls.com/business/2026/09/10/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-countrys-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward - [Lookout Local Santa Cruz](https://lookout.co/california-officials-allow-plans-for-the-countrys-biggest-kelp-farm-to-move-forward/story) — California officials allow plans for the country's biggest kelp farm to move forward ## Questions **What is the plan for the new kelp farm?** Coastal officials have approved a plan for Ocean Rainforest to build the United States' largest kelp farm. The farm will be located 6 miles off the Ventura County coast and is intended to cultivate giant kelp for agricultural products, with a potential annual yield of up to 6,000 tons. **What are the environmental concerns about the kelp farm?** Environmental groups have raised concerns about the potential for whale entanglements in the farm's lines and the impact of increased boat traffic. However, Ocean Rainforest stated that no whales were entangled during a two-year demonstration project, and officials noted the use of taut lines and the farm's offshore location. **What is the potential economic impact of the kelp farm?** The kelp farm could produce up to 6,000 tons of kelp annually, contributing to the growth of the U.S. seaweed industry. A 2023 World Bank report estimated that global seaweed markets could grow by an additional $11.8 billion by 2030. Local officials in Ventura also welcomed the project for potentially bringing new industry and jobs. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/business/california-approves-largest-us-kelp-farm-plan. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "California approves largest US kelp farm plan", https://mediabias.news/business/california-approves-largest-us-kelp-farm-plan