NOAA: Oregon Startup Turns Ecological Crisis into Opportunity with Innovative Sea Urchin Ranching
UNITED STATES Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 06:00 (GMT + 9)
OoNee Sea Urchin Ranch in Newport is helping restore disappearing kelp forests while supplying premium seafood to restaurants across the Pacific Northwest. A new initiative highlighted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is showing how aquaculture can address environmental challenges while creating economic opportunities along the U.S. West Coast. Through its “Tide to Table” series, NOAA spotlights members of the aquaculture community who provide jobs and sustainably sourced American seafood. One of the latest stories focuses on OoNee Sea Urchin Ranch, a pioneering operation in Newport, Oregon, led by co-founder Aaron Huang, who has built a business around restoring marine ecosystems. Huang, who jokingly calls himself a “kelp nerd,” has long been passionate about seaweed—so m... FULL STORY
