Devaleraea mollis
Illustration of Pacific Dulse courtesy of the National Seaweed Hub
Farmed
Gear
Tank Culture
Location(s)
CA
OR

Pacific dulse is a species of red seaweed found from intertidal zones to depths of 65 feet. It is characterized by pink or red fronds distinguished from close relatives by its bushy shape. Pacific dulse fronds can range in size, growing more than two feet long and around two inches wide at their largest. For ages, Pacific dulse has been collected for both food and medicinal purposes by West Coast Indigenous peoples. Farmed dulse is propagated from clones, enabling growers to circumvent its complicated multiphase life cycle. 

Overall availability

Pacific dulse is grown year-round in Oregon and California. In California and Oregon, products are available fresh or dried and can be purchased directly from seaweed farms or local specialty food stores.

activity wheel for pacific dulse that depicts monthly activity levels (peak, low, closed)

 

Management

Pacific dulse is grown in land-based tanks. Commercial seaweed aquaculture is managed by a variety of agencies such as the state Departments of Fish and Wildlife or Natural Resources (CA, OR) the Army Corps of Engineers, local, state and federal Departments of Public Health, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. Learn more about Pacific dulse at Sea Grant’s National Seaweed Hub website.