Europe’s largest annual seaweed conference is being held in Portland Wednesday and Thursday, a nod to Maine’s status as the United States’ hub for seaweed farming.

Seagriculture will take place at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel and is considered the leading conference for the seaweed industry, according to a press release from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

Maine produces 60% of the total farmed edible seaweed in the U.S. With more businesses entering the market, several economic development organizations are supporting and sponsoring the conference, the first international seaweed conference in the U.S.

The conference is sponsored by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, the Maine Technology Institute, Maine International Trade Center and Maine North Atlantic Development Office.

“Seagriculture USA puts Maine on the world map as a leader in seaweed farming, harvesting, innovation, and business — and it’s bringing innovative companies and investors directly to the state,” Dana Eidsness, director of the Maine North Atlantic Development Office, said in a statement.