From February to November 2021, Dr. Colin Bates undertook a pre-feasibility study for the City of Port Alberni to explore possibilities for establishing an applied seaweed research centre in Port Alberni.

Provisionally named the “Canadian Centre for Seaweed Research” (CCSR), this study was guided by a comprehensive Terms of Reference (TOR). Dr. Colin Bates undertook broad consultations, a desktop study of primary scientific literature and published reports, field site visits, and attended and presented at multiple seaweed-focused forums.

The report outlines the findings and is structured around three sections:

  1) Building a case for a CCSR in Port Alberni

  2) Operational considerations for a CCSR, and

  3) Recommendations for the next steps to realize a CCSR.

In the course of the work, Dr. Bates found it valuable to move beyond the TOR to evaluate the broader landscape into which a CCSR would fit; and as such provided commentary on the need and a proposed blueprint and recommendations for a comprehensive Port Alberni Seaweed Production Ecosystem that could support Vancouver Island seaweed producers and serve as a driver of economic development in Port Alberni.