Bren Smith's story is about ecological redemption. After working as an industrial fisherman since adolescence and observing closely the devastating effects of massive fishing, Bren decided to go from being a fisherman, to becoming an innovator in the oceans, a “climate farmer” as he says, in search of a new, more sustainable ways to feed the planet.
Smith has developed a new model of ocean agriculture, a unique vertical farm, that is called "3D Ocean Farm" — a vertical garden underwater, composed of algae, mussels, scallops and oysters, edible species and high demand that act as a filter for nitrogen and carbon dioxide, rebuilding systems, natural reefs and restoration of the oceans. As Smith explains, "we use our new farming methods to meet the growing needs for sustainable seafood, while restoring ecosystems, mitigating climate change and building a new blue-green economy."
Following the success, Smith created the nonprofit GreenWave to help other fishermen to replicate its innovative model of agriculture. This ocean’s rethinking economy is, and will be, the key to the future of the food system.
Scientists, farmers, fishermen, oceanographers and chefs around the world are already starting to recognise the oceans as the perfect place to grow in a more sustainable way.
Seaweed farming is one of the most sustainable options for now and for the future, because they requires no water, no fertilisers and no land. They are also super-nutritious plants, they enrich themselves with all the nutrients found in the ocean and that is why we consider them a superfood, and why many western chefs are incorporating them into their menus in new, tasty ways.
This is just the beginning of a new generation of ocean farmers, and it will of course, attract great attention. Now the question is no longer, how do we save the ocean? But rather, how the ocean can save us?