What is Fiora Mara?
Fiora Mara is a climate company on a mission to tackle climate change by harnessing the power of the ocean. Using ocean science and engineered design, they’ve developed a nature-based solution that removes carbon from both the atmosphere and seawater. The secret? Large-scale, biodegradable seaweed farms that float on the ocean’s surface, soaking up carbon as they grow. Once mature, these farms sink deep to the ocean floor, locking away carbon for over a thousand years. It’s a bold, innovative approach that not only captures carbon but also supports marine life and helps prevent ocean acidification. Pretty cool, right?
Main Benefits of Fiora Mara’s Approach
Here’s a quick snapshot of what makes Fiora Mara’s solution stand out:
- A 100-square-meter seaweed farm absorbs 66 tonnes of carbon — that’s 20 times more than a land-based forest of the same size.
- Over 94% of the carbon captured by the seaweed is permanently sequestered when the farms sink to the deep ocean floor.
- The seaweed also absorbs nitrogen and phosphorous, promoting local biodiversity and reducing the risk of oceanic dead zones.
- The farms are 100% biodegradable and designed to float initially, optimizing growth conditions.
- By selling carbon credits at a lower cost than traditional methods, Fiora Mara makes long-term carbon removal more accessible.
How Fiora Mara Got Started
The story began when Adam and Sunny realized that just slowing emissions wasn’t enough to heal the planet. They wanted to create a carbon removal method that was both scientifically rigorous and gentle on the environment. What started as a climate fellowship capstone project with a small team diving deep into ocean systems quickly grew into a shared mission: to give the ocean the tools it needs to absorb more carbon safely and naturally. From that spark, Fiora Mara was born.
Partnering with Nature: Seaweed as a Carbon Sponge
Fiora Mara’s approach is all about working with nature, not against it. Seaweed is one of the ocean’s most efficient carbon absorbers, pulling carbon from both the air and the water. By cultivating seaweed farms, Fiora Mara taps into this natural process, then takes it a step further by sinking the mature seaweed to the deep ocean floor. This locks away the carbon for over a millennium, making it a truly long-term solution. Plus, the seaweed farms help marine ecosystems thrive and combat ocean acidification — a win-win.
The Science Behind the Solution
The process unfolds in three key phases:
- Deploy Seaweed Farms: Fiora Mara releases floating micro-farms made from biodegradable materials into the ocean, where they stay near the surface to maximize growth.
- Growth Phase: As the seaweed grows, it absorbs massive amounts of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous, boosting local biodiversity and reducing dead zones.
- Sinking Phase: Once mature, a sinking mechanism activates, sending the entire micro-farm to the deep ocean floor, where over 94% of the carbon is sequestered safely and permanently.
Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 13: Climate Action — by removing carbon at scale and combating climate change.
- SDG 14: Life Below Water — by supporting marine biodiversity and reducing ocean acidification.
- SDG 15: Life on Land — indirectly, by reducing atmospheric carbon and mitigating climate impacts on terrestrial ecosystems.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure — through pioneering engineered ocean-based carbon removal technology.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production — by promoting sustainable carbon credit markets.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Ocean Carbon Removal
Fiora Mara is not just about technology; it’s about creating a scalable, nature-based solution that can make a real dent in global carbon levels. By combining scientific rigor with innovative design, they’re paving the way for ocean carbon removal at scale. As the company grows and refines its approach, the potential to restore ocean health and fight climate change becomes even more exciting. The ocean has always been a powerful ally — now, Fiora Mara is giving it the tools to fight back.
