Creating a sustainable commercial harvest of Laminaria hyperborea, in Norway

The mechanized harvesting of Laminaria hyperborea in Norway began nearly 50 years ago. Based on a clear understanding of the ecology and life cycle of L. hyperborea as well as the ecosystem, a sustainable management program for the harvest was created with a 5-year cycle and rotating zones in fields as the foundation of the plan. This has allowed a steady annual harvest of 130,000-180,000 t wet weight, depending on market demand. In the last decade, the Norwegian government, working with industry and other stakeholders, has produced more refined policies/documents governing the harvest. This macroalgal harvest plan provides an excellent example for resource managers in other parts of the world laboring to create sustainable harvest management plans.