NEIWPCC, in support of the Nutrient Bioextraction Initiative with collaboration from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), and with funding from the Long Island Sound Partnership, is inviting proposals to conduct a project entitled “Phase 2 of Economic Feasibility Market Study for Nutrient Bioextraction Industry in the Long Island Sound.”
This Phase 2 study will expand upon a previously completed Phase 1 study that investigated the economic feasibility of establishing a commercial bioextraction industry in Long Island Sound. The Phase 1 study identified native seaweeds and shellfish that were most effective at nutrient bioextraction; the most profitable and feasible market opportunities after harvest; and the barriers to commercial bioextraction industry establishment.
The Phase 2 project seeks to identify prioritized, actionable recommendations to address the barriers identified by the Phase 1 study and bridge the gap between small-scale bioextractive seaweed activity and a profitable, self-sustaining commercial industry in New York and Connecticut. This project contributes to the overall goal of the Nutrient Bioextraction Initiative to reduce nitrogen to improve water quality in the Long Island Sound.
There is up to $100,000 available for this project and one contractor will be selected. Bid proposals are due by April 3, 2026.
For more information on bid submission requirements, view the full request for quotes.
Program Background
NYS DEC launched the Nutrient Bioextraction Initiative in 2018 as part of the Long Island Watershed Program (LIWP), formerly the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP). Bioextraction is the process of removing excess nutrients like nitrogen from local waters through the cultivation and harvest of seaweed and shellfish. The Nutrient Bioextraction Initiative aims to improve water quality in New York and Connecticut marine waters by removing excess nitrogen through the cultivation and harvest of seaweed and shellfish. The Initiative fosters coordination among experts in the field to identify research topics, nutrient removal rates, technical bottlenecks, and potential challenges related to bioextraction industries; encourages communication between growers, researchers, and other resources; and shares the information and research publicly.