Portugal & Norway-based SeaForester bags €1.6M to bring back kelp forests and restore ocean life

SeaForester secures €1.6M to advance its ocean restoration work, supporting marine ecosystems and coastal recovery efforts.

Portugal and Norway-based SeaForester, an environmental impact company aiming to restore forests in the Ocean, has secured $1.9M (nearly €1.63M) in funding from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Schmidt Marine Technology Partners (SMTP).

The funding will support SeaForester’s ongoing efforts to restore degraded coastal areas through kelp reforestation, a method aimed at strengthening marine ecosystems and supporting biodiversity.

In a LinkedIn post, SeaForester also acknowledged its existing partners for their ongoing collaboration: Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe, Deloitte Portugal, Thai Union Group PCL, Torq Surfboards, 50 Degrees North, FlyOzone, and Estée Lauder.

Pål Bakken, founder and chief executive of SeaForester, says, “This investment is a testament to SeaForester’s vision and strategy. It allows us to accelerate our work in the sea, improve our techniques and expand partnerships with industries that depend on a healthy ocean. Together, we will bring back the ‘forgotten forest’ and create more life on the ‘blue front yards’ around the world.”

Decline of seaweed forests

SeaForester reports a decline in seaweed forests across the world. According to the group’s analysis, many underwater seaweed forests have completely disappeared, driven by pollution, over-grazing, coastal development, heatwaves and ocean warming.

The organisation notes that these seaweed forests once covered most temperate coastlines. Their decline has led to fewer habitats for marine species, lower fish populations, reduced carbon sequestration and degraded water quality. 

Coastal communities that rely on these marine vegetation zones for food or income are among those most impacted by the loss of these underwater forests. 

SeaForester’s work aims to address this issue by replanting native kelp forests and restoring degraded coastal ecosystems.

The solution!

Founded in 2009 by Pål Bakken, SeaForester develops methods to restore seaweed forests and strengthen coastal ecosystems. The organisation operates in Portugal and Norway and works with research institutions, government agencies and private partners across Europe and Australia.

SeaForester focuses on seaforestation, the replanting of native kelp in coastal zones. The company builds kelp-nursery systems, applies restoration techniques and monitors recovery through satellite data, ROVs and eDNA analysis.

Restored kelp forests help cycle nutrients, provide habitat for marine life, support fisheries, reduce coastal erosion through wave buffering and capture carbon. These functions contribute to ecosystem stability, food supply and climate regulation.

Through its restoration model, SeaForester addresses ecosystem degradation, rebuilds marine habitats and supports global efforts toward ocean recovery and carbon management.