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We're Nearly Sold Out!
founded upon a promise in 2023
founded upon a promise in 2023
During a trip to North Haven, an island that lies in the center of majestic Penobscot Bay, Maine, founder and CEO Paul Athanasiou discovered a massive problem that was destroying not only Maine's coastlines, but shores across the eastern seaboard, from Nova Scotia to the Carolinas, as well as the a major part of the west coast.
As Athanasiou researched the destruction that invasive European Green Crabs (carcinus maenas) cause, he learned that there was no solid way to eradicate the species. Certain groups have attempted to create a cuisine from the species, however, these crabs have little meat and are not as tasty as the typical Jonah crab or Atlantic Blue crab.
Throughout the trip, Athanasiou continued to catch green crabs with drop lines off the dock and place them in a lobster crate. Still pondering a way to humanely and effectively kill the crabs, he decided to steam and compost the havoc-wreaking species. The smell had overtaken the entire area. It was then that Paul Athanasiou had an idea: create a liquid and solid fertilizer product from the calcium-rich guts of the crabs. This would help solve multiple problems, including the use of chemical-based fertilizers in agricultural applications, the expensive and unsustainable production of conventional fertilizer, and of couse, the ongoing green crab invasion.
Paul Athanasiou promised to eradicate the species and save our coastline. Today, Sea of Green Fertilizer Products, Inc. continues to fulfill that promise under Athanasiou's leadership.
a timeline of green
a timeline of green
Mid-1800s
Mid-1800s
European Green Crabs begin hitching rides in the ballast water of ships. The crabs will breed in the bottom of the ship and disperse across their destination. Common invasion sites included points in Massachusetts, Maine and Virginia.
1900s
1900s
European Green Crabs spread across the east coast, and eventually make it to the western U.S. They continute to destroy ecosystems.
2001
2001
Washington Sea Grant organizes volunteers from the community to monitor and manage the growing population of European Green Crabs in Puget Sound.
2013
2013
The Maine Clammers Association begins noticing effects on populations across the state, so they organize the community to focus on the effects of the crabs and assist in management.
2013
2013
The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management begins monitoring the populations of the species across salt marshes.Their abundance is higher than anticipated.
August 2023
August 2023
Paul Athanasiou arrives in North Haven, Maine for vacation. When he is informed of the crabs' existence, he spends the remainder of the trip researching the effects of the crabs and potential solutions.Â
September 23, 2023
September 23, 2023
Paul Athanasiou releases his first trap into the waters of Cape Cod Bay, with the intentions of creating fertilizer from the crabs. Within 16 hours, the trap was filled with 150 invasives. He produces the fertilizer, and Sea of Green is born.
September 24, 2023
September 24, 2023
The first batch of fertilizer is bottled. Upon testing, amazing results are seen. The first test of the fertilizer was when the concentrate was poured upon a dying tree (in September). The tree bloomed within a week, when it was supposed to lay dormant for the winter.
August 12, 2024
August 12, 2024
Sea of Green Fertilizer Products, Inc. becomes a reality. A website, logo, and most importantly, corporation status, all come to life.
special thanks
special thanks
Sea of Green Fertilizer Products, Inc. would not be a reality without the following people:
Susan Wood: The inspiration to find a solution to the problem, Ms. Wood assisted our efforts with brainstorming and research.
Hal Slotnick: Mr. Slotnick was the first to inform Mr. Athanasiou of the invasion, sparking hours of research and development.
Tory & Paul Somers: Mr. Athanasiou would never have learned about Green Crabs without either of you.
Peter Stagakis: Mr. Stagakis assisted in the logistics for our first trap, and provided a space for the first production cycle.
Dimitrios Athanasiou: D Athanasiou brought Mr. Athanasiou to Brooks Trap Mill in Rhode Island, allowing Mr. Athanasiou to catch invasive Green Crabs via traps.
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