Sugar Kelp

Saccharina latissima , also known as Sea belt, Devil's apron. Sugar kelp is a yellowish brown marine algae widely cultivated and eaten in Asia and growing in popularity in the United States as a nutritious food high in fiber, vitamins, and mi

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Source: Species facts, status language, and imagery adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile (last updated 04/25/2025). Ocean City charter and Maryland record notes are editorial orientation for OCEANCITY.MD readers. Always confirm current seasons, sizes, and bag limits before you fish—rules change.

Sugar Kelp (Saccharina latissima) — NOAA Fisheries illustration near Ocean City, Maryland — Illustration/photo: NOAA Fisheries — Sugar Kelp (Saccharina latissima).

Quick facts

Length: Up to 16 feet
Lifespan: 2 to 4 years
Region: New England/Mid-Atlantic
Category: Invertebrate · Mid-Atlantic
Maryland likelihood: 2★ out of 5

About the species

Sugar kelp is a yellowish brown marine algae widely cultivated and eaten in Asia and growing in popularity in the United States as a nutritious food high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Sugar kelp has long been known as a sweetener and as having thickening and gelling qualities that can be added to food and cosmetics. Sugar kelp is being grown and harvested by more commercial farms for a variety of uses, from food to potential biofuels.

Maryland record catch

Confirm whether Maryland DNR publishes an Atlantic state-record category for Sugar Kelp on the current sport-fish record board.

Verify on Maryland DNR — Sport Fish State Records . Record boards change when DNR accepts a new fish.

Maryland size & bag limits

Maryland’s Atlantic recreational seasons/sizes/creel summary does not publish a dedicated line for Sugar Kelp. Verify COMAR, DNR public notices, and federal rules for your exact waters before you keep fish.

Rule	Maryland / applicable detail
Maryland minimum size	Not listed — no dedicated Sugar Kelp line on the MD Atlantic recreational table
Maryland daily creel (bag)	Not listed — no MD species-specific bag for Sugar Kelp
Maryland open season	Not listed on the MD Atlantic Ocean / Coastal Bays summary table
Verify	Check DNR eRegulations, COMAR, and NOAA for your date and coordinates before you keep fish.

Editorial only — verify before you keep a fish. Confirm current seasons, sizes, and creel on Maryland eRegulations — Atlantic seasons, sizes & limits . Rules change; this page is orientation, not the legal digest. Also see verify regulations.

Population & fishing rate

See the NOAA species profile for current stock status language for this entry.

Appearance

Sugar kelp reach maturity between 3 and 4 years of age.
Their blade can grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) long and 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) wide.
Sugar kelp can live for 2 to 4 years and grow quickly in colder months.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Protista Phylum Ochrophyta Class Phaeophyceae Order Laminariales Family Laminariaceae Genus Saccharina Species latissima Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/25/2025

Biology

Is Sugar Kelp Sustainable? U.S. farmed sugar kelp is a smart seafood choice because it is grown and harvested under U.S. state and federal regulations.

Where they live

Range

Is Sugar Kelp Sustainable? U.S. farmed sugar kelp is a smart seafood choice because it is grown and harvested under U.S. state and federal regulations.

Habitat

See the NOAA species profile for habitat detail for this entry.

Ocean City & Mid-Atlantic context

From Ocean City, Maryland, use this Sugar Kelp profile as NOAA Mid-Atlantic directory context—not a promise you will meet the species on every charter.

Always verify current Maryland and federal size, season, and bag rules for your exact date and coordinates before you keep any catch.

Source facts and imagery are adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile for Sugar Kelp.

What charter to book from Ocean City

Sugar Kelp is more of a bay, inshore, or specialty harvest story than a typical OC six-pack trolling day—match the trip type to the animal.

Possible / related

Bay guide — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.
Inshore charter — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.
Nearshore wreck / bottom — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.
Head / party boat — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.

Not typical from OC

Casting / light tackle — Not a typical Ocean City casting / light tackle target for Sugar Kelp.
Trolling charter — Not a typical Ocean City trolling charter target for Sugar Kelp.
Offshore charter — Not a typical Ocean City offshore charter target for Sugar Kelp.

Start with the charter directory trip-type picker so you compare boats inside the right archetype—not a bay-guide quote against a canyon invoice.

Plan a fishing day in Ocean City — Pick the trip archetype before you chase a species story.
Charter directory stubs & trip-type picker — Compare boats inside the right archetype.
Verify Maryland fishing regulations — DNR + NOAA steps before you keep any fish from an OC trip.
Nearshore wreck fishing hub — Structure days from West Ocean City.
Offshore sport fishing hub — Canyon and bluewater context from Ocean City.

Fishery management

NOAA Fisheries and regional fishery management councils manage this species where applicable—see the NOAA profile for plan details.

Harvest

See the NOAA wild-caught fishery section for landings and gear notes when published for this species.

Landings and management details matter most for the waters where Sugar Kelp is actually fished—see the NOAA species profile .

Seafood facts

Fact	Detail
Sustainability	U.S. farmed sugar kelp is a smart seafood choice because it is grown and harvested under U.S. state and federal regulations.
Availability	Fresh product when harvested is available February to May, while dried kelp is available year round.
Source	Commercially farmed in cold water regions along the East and West Coast of the United States and Alaska.
Taste	Sugar kelp has a savory and slightly sweet flavor. When dried, a white, sweet-tasting powder forms on the blade.
Texture	Crunchy texture
Health	High in fiber, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals.