Sea Forest Team
Every team member plays a vital role in responsibly growing Pacific Sea Kelp and protecting our marine resources.
Our ethos ensures that the impacts of our operation are both positive and sustainable.
Kristina Long
Founder / CEO
Kristina founded Sea Forest in 2016, establishing a proudly woman-owned enterprise driven by her passion for ocean sustainability and innovation. A Captain aboard some of the world’s largest megayachts, with over 80,000 nautical miles at sea, Kristina brings exceptional maritime expertise and leadership to the kelp aquaculture industry.
Her fascination with seaweed began in 2015 through an EU-funded seaweed bioplastics initiative and evolved while introducing locally harvested sea vegetables into fine dining experiences aboard luxury vessels along British Columbia’s coast.
In 2017, Kristina established a pilot kelp farm in Barkley Sound, expanding into the Gulf Islands in 2020. Today, Sea Forest develops innovative Pacific kelp food and agricultural products while building meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities and coastal industries.
A pioneering female Captain and entrepreneur, Kristina continues to champion sustainable aquaculture, strengthen coastal economies, and inspire the next generation of marine professionals.
Ian Sherwin
Honorary Founder
Ian Sherwin is our honorary Team Member, having founded the original Sea Forest back in 1968. In his 92 years, Mr. Sherwin has culminated an incredible history and continues to consult for the Company, offering an insight to the business that is irreplicable. His professional interests in kelp, mining & forestry cemented his position as one of Victoria’s captains of industry and his exploits spanned various continents. His story began at Dunsmuir Castle where he was raised alongside Lady Dunsmuir’s grandchildren while his parents worked for the estate. It is here that he was exposed to hand logging techniques on the family’s 1000ha of woodland. After the widow’s passing, Ian and his parents moved into the heritage property at 23 Paddon St., which Ian would also occupy into his adult years. Fast forward 30 years and Ian is milling wood residue and Norwegian kelp from his warehouse in the sawmill district of Victoria’s Rock Bay. His kelp products were manufactured for export to golf courses, gardens & resorts in the United States, EU, UK & prospectively to the Persian Gulf. Maui’s Wailea Golf Course is famously ‘built on Sea Forest’. Ian’s ties to Victoria’s prominent characters, post-WWII, also opened the door to a meeting with the Sheikh of Ras Al Khaimah, where Sea Forest took centre stage. Ian’s contributions to the foundation of Sea Forest are everlasting.
Tiare Boyes
Underwater Photographer
Tiare’s professional underwater photography is the inspiration behind Sea Forest’s packaging line. Her capture of kelp is unique, vivid and innately anthropomorphic. This visual connection with aquatic plants was exactly what we had hoped to achieve. We love her work. Tiare is passionate about life underwater. She has been diving since the age of 12 and is an international advocate for youth in food production, especially seafood. Tiare believes that our marine renewable resources should be harvested with respect and peer reviewed science. As an underwater photographer, Tiare seeks to bring a little bit of understanding of our incredible marine neighbours to folks who haven’t had the chance to visit them below our chilly Pacific waves.
tiareboyes.com @tiareboyes
Collaborators
United Kelp Cooperative
Indigenous Leadership. Industry Collaboration. Sustainable Coastal Futures.
The United Kelp Cooperative brings together Indigenous and industry kelp harvesters, farmers, and businesses to build a thriving, sustainable kelp industry on British Columbia’s coast.
Operating under Indigenous governance, the Cooperative creates opportunities for members to collaborate, share resources, access equipment and infrastructure, develop harvesting and aquaculture expertise, and connect with new markets.
Sea Forest Ltd. is a proud participating member of the Cooperative, contributing expertise in kelp harvesting, processing, product development, and distribution while working alongside Indigenous and industry partners to strengthen the kelp supply chain.
Together, our members are building a stronger coastal economy rooted in collaboration, Indigenous leadership, environmental stewardship, and shared opportunity.
Our Partners
Tsawwassen First Nation
Nuchatlaht Tribe
