What is Ocean Farming?

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Ocean farming is a tricky business. While sustainable food production is the goal, hurricanes and other storms often terrorize crops.
Ocean farming is a tricky business. While sustainable food production is the goal, hurricanes and other storms often terrorize crops.
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"The Human Age" author Diane Ackerman uses humor and vivid storytelling to shine a light on the serious issues facing the Earth today.

In The Human Age: The World Shaped By Us (W. W. Norton & Company, 2014), by Diane Ackerman, the reader is given a clearer picture of the planet that we live on. Ackerman takes an in-depth look at the steps humans are taking to help the Earth as well as to hurt it. This excerpt comes from the chapter “Blue Revolution” which sees Ackerman take an oceanic journey to the cross-section of farming and fishing. 

“Mariculture,” I say, floating the image of a vertical ocean garden in my mind, as I climb into a heavy, buoyant, safety-orange worksuit designed for extended periods on cold water.

“Think of it as 3D farming that uses the entire water column to grow a variety of species,” Bren Smith says, closing his own suit over a black-and-red-checked flannel shirt and jeans, zipping the fish teeth of ankle zippers, and latching the belt. This is just the beginning of his vision for an elaborate network of small, family-owned, organic, and sustainable aquafarms arranged along the East Coast — oysters in beds under curtains of kelp — to help subdue storm surges while also providing food and energy to local communities.

  • Published on Sep 9, 2016
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