We are assessing the sustainability of commercial sea palm take from wild populations. The sea palm, Postelsia palmaeformis, is a charismatic intertidal zone seaweed that is endemic to the wave-swept, rocky shores of western North America.  It is an annual, with a typical kelp life history, and its spores typically disperse only a few meters from the parent plant. A rapidly growing commercial market exists for seaweeds and sea palm in particular. Demand is driven in part due to the health benefits of seaweeds, culinary interests in local foods, as well as raw, Asian, indigenous and other cuisines that regularly incorporate seaweeds into their dishes.  California Pomo and Miwok Indians have also traditionally gathered and used sea palm and other seaweeds in their diet.  Virtually all the commercial take of sea palm is from wild populations in northern California.  Local populations are vulnerable to extinction as some collection methods can kill the seaweed before it reproduces, however most reputable seaweed collectors do not collect sea palm this way. Although Although there is no regulation or management of the commercial sea palm ‘harvest’ in California aside from purchasing a commercial collecting permit. But ironically, both sport fishing and standard scientific collecting permits specifically prohibit the take of sea palm altogether.  However, most reputable collectors in the region use a frond trimming method, in concert with informal territorial agreements that has the potential to be the basis of a sustainable management plan for this growing 'fishery'.  We are conducting controlled field experiments to determine when and how often sea palm can be taken using the frond-trimming method before there are negative impacts to the populations (with special permission from DFG).  This information is critical for informing development of regulations that will ensure truly sustainable take for the future in the face of a rapidly growing market for this species.