3D ocean farmers project to restore oceans and produce biodiesel wins award

In New York state, the Buckminster Fuller Institute (BFI) is pleased to announce the Winner of the 2015 Fuller Challenge: GreenWave, a non-profit organization that has designed the world’s first multi-species 3D ocean farms. GreenWave aims to restore ocean ecosystems and create jobs in coastal communities by transforming fishers into restorative ocean farmers. The project was submitted by GreenWave Executive Director Bren Smith.

GreenWave’s integrated model shifts the practice of aquaculture from growing vulnerable monocultures to creating vibrant ecosystems, which produce higher yields. The infrastructure is simple: seaweed, scallops and mussels grow on floating ropes, stacked above oyster and clam cages below. From these crops ocean farmers can produce food, fertilizers, animal feeds, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, biofuels and much more. The farms filter harmful pollutants out of water, sequester CO2, support biodiversity, and are thus designed to restore rather than deplete our ecosystems.