Porphyra
umbilicalis (L.) Kützing was selected for this proof of concept research because of its reproductive biology, abundance across
seasons in Maine, and evidence of its promise as a mariculture crop. We studied the maturation, release, and germination of the
neutral spores to develop an appropriate seeding protocol for nets, followed by development of a nursery raceway to provide an
easily manipulated environment for the seeded nets. Neutral spores were produced throughout the year on the central Maine coast;
however, there was a temporal variability in the number and survival of released neutral spores, depending upon thallus position in
the intertidal zone.