Digital library

  • Sustainability Assessment

    The MacroFuels project aims to advance the technologies for producing liquid transportation biofuels from cultivated seaweed (or macroalgae), thereby providing a sustainable solution for the provision of transportation fuels for heavy goods transport and the aviation sector.

    Seaweeds are amongst the fastest growing plants in the world, producing large quantities of biomass over a short timespan. They do this without the use of fresh water, fertilizers, pesticides, and farmland, that are all needed for land-based cultivation. In order to grow, seaweed needs only carbon dioxide (CO2), sunlight and the nutrients already present in the ocean.

    To validate the benefits of the seaweed biofuel concept and, ultimately, to provide a basis for the development of incentivising policies, a sustainability assessment is an integral part of the MacroFuels project. The assessment is a multi-criteria appraisal that evaluates the impacts of seaweed-derived transport fuels with respect to the environment and society and their technical and economic viability, as well as health, safety and risk aspects of the seaweed biofuel production system.

    These different pillars of sustainability are assessed in individual work tasks. In order to facilitate the integrated sustainability assessment, to ensure consistency and to allow for consolidation and overall conclusions to be drawn, it is necessary that each work task is conducted on the basis of common criteria, where this is possible and appropriate. To this end, this report:

     Defines the approach taken for the integrated sustainability assessment;

     Presents the results of an integrated sustainability assessment of the MacroFuels concept; and

     Provides options to improve the sustainability performance of the MacroFuels concept.

    Author(s): Jamal Miah, Donald Reid, Michael Collins, Simon Aumônier

  • Sunreign Reference: Ocean Fertilization Project

    The ocean fertilization project has seveal aims:

    1. Raise support for ocean fertilization
    2. Develop, build and deploy ocean fertilization devices

    Author(s):

  • Studies on the fauna associated with the cultured seaweed Gracilaria edulis

    With a view to study the fauna associated with the cultured seaweed Gracilaria edulis in coastal waters of the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar and to assess the damage, if any, caused by any of the organisms, samples of all animal associated with the cultured seaweeds were collected from the seaweed culture sites. Qualitative analysis of the samples indicated that the fauna is mainly composed of crabs, amphipods, polychaetes, isopods, copepods, gastropods, bivalves, holothurians and fishes. Quantitatively, crabs were found to be more numerous than all other groups, followed by amphipods and polychaetes.

    Author(s): James, P S B R, Chennubhotla, V S Krishnamurthy, Rodrigo, Joseph Xavier

  • Studies on Chinese species of Gelidiella and Pterocladiella (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta)

    A detailed study of materials from our herbarium shows the presence of two species of Gelidiella and three species of Pterocladiella, including two new records and a new species. Previously recorded species include G. acerosaand P. capillacea. G. bornetii and P. caerulescensare new records for China and P. yinggehaiensisis believed to be a new species. This new species is characterized by its small thalli, 1.5–2 cm high, that are more densely branched on the middle to upper parts for one half their lengths. These characteristics are so distinctive that they can be used to separate this species readily from other species now reported in this genus.

    Author(s): Yong-Qiang Wang, C. K. Tseng, Bang-Mei Xia

  • Strategies for pulsed nutrient supply to Gracilaria cultures in the Florida Keys: Interactions between concentration and frequency of nutrient pulses

    A factorial design experiment, using in situ cage cultures, was used to investigate the effects of frequency and concentration of nutrient pulses on growth, nutrient uptake, and chemical composition (C, N, P) of Gracilaria tikvahiae McLachlan in nearshore waters of the Florida Keys. Both frequency and concentration of the nutrient pulses affected growth and chemical composition of G. tikvahiae, indicating nutrient limitation occurred during the study. Growth of G. tikvahiae increased with increasing pulse frequency up to the highest level used (2·wk−1) at all pulse concentrations; in contrast, growth increased with increasing pulse concentration to the highest concentration at the low pulse frequency but not at the higher pulse frequencies. Although the frequency of nutrient pulses appeared more important in regulating growth and pre-pulse levels of chemical constituents than pulse concentration, the effects of frequency were due to its effects on total nutrient loading (i.e. flux) and not to the effects of frequency of nutrient enrichment per se. Greater variation in percent P compared to percent N in G. tikvahiae tissue between pulses and an increased PO3−4 uptake rate in nutrient-limited G. tikvahiae suggests that P rather than N was the primary limiting nutrient during the study; however, N was an important secondary limiting nutrient indicating dual nutrient-limitation occurred. While the pulse medium used had a N:P ratio of 18 : 1, much higher uptake ratios, ranging from 27:1 to 80:1, actually occurred, supporting the contention of P-limitation. Thus, nutrient pulse strategies with G. tikvahiae in P-limited systems need to utilize excessively lowN:P ratios in the pulse medium to offset the differential uptake rates of NH+4 and PO3−4 at the high concentrations typically used in pulse-feeding strategies.

    Author(s): Brian E. Lapointe

  • Strategic Review of the Feasibility of Seaweed Aquaculture in Ireland

    The National Seaweed Forum, commissioned by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources in 1999, evaluated the current status of the Irish Seaweed Industry, investigate the potential uses of seaweeds and identify measures to be undertaken for developing the different industrial sectors. Seaweed aquaculture was identified as a key area for the development of the Irish Seaweed Industry to meet growing market demands and to create attractive and high–skilled jobs in peripheral communities in coastal areas.

    Following these recommendations the Marine Institute commissioned this present study to investigate the feasibility of seaweed aquaculture in Ireland. Its objectives are to:

    • Review the current status of seaweed aquaculture worldwide and in NW Europe, identify seaweed species, their potential uses and economic value, which would lend themselves to aquaculture in Ireland.
    • Assess Irish expertise capable of supporting a national seaweed aquaculture programme.
    • Identify priority RTDI projects necessary for supporting a development programme.
    • Assess the availability of suitable sites for seaweed aquaculture.
    • Develop an outline strategy for a national seaweed aquaculture programme over the next ten years.

    Worldwide seaweed aquaculture is a growing sector. In 2000, seaweed aquaculture production was about 10 million tonnes wet weight with an economic value of US$5.6 billion. The major producer of seaweeds is China, followed by other Japan and Korea. The majority of seaweed produced is used for human consumption and for the extraction of hydrocolloids. In Europe seaweed aquaculture is a relatively new development and still in its infancy with only a small number of commercial seaweed farms. Research is focused on the establishment of low–volume high–value seaweeds, the development of new applications for algae and the identification of specific algal compounds, food supplements, cosmetics, biomedicine and biotechnology. Recent trends in life–style towards natural, healthy products are opportune for advancement in seaweed aquaculture.

    The most suitable seaweed species for cultivation in Ireland for the near future are those already used in trials and/or commercial cultivation operations in Ireland and other Western countries and for which a market demand already exists. These include algae for human consumption, nutraceuticals and cosmetics. The introduction of new, high–value species into aquaculture will depend strongly on the development of new value–added applications and markets.

    Irish expertise capable of a supporting national seaweed aquaculture programme is available through Third–Level Institutions, Development Agencies, service companies, fishermen and aquaculturists, and the seaweed and other industries. It is seen as essential, however, that the main impetus for development comes from the Irish Seaweed Industry.

    The assessment of the current status of the Seaweed Industry and the consultations undertaken have led to the identification of RTDI needs, which are assumed to be necessary to support a national seaweed aquaculture programme. Key areas for R&D projects concern cultivation methods, research in bioactive substances and applications, and research in biomedicine and biotechnology.

    The selection of suitable seaweed aquaculture sites depends on the biological requirements of the seaweed species (such as current, water depth, salinity, nutrients) and the availability of space with respect to other coastal resource users and the designation of protected areas (such as Special Areas of Conservation). Assessment of potential sites based on selected criteria revealed that the north, west, and southwest coasts of Ireland offer a range of suitable seaweed aquaculture sites for different species. Although in many of these coastal areas there are aquaculture activities, it is not assumed that situations of competition for space arise. It is however recommended that aquacultural activities be co–ordinated if organisation structures are not already in place (such as Co–ordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems). Special Areas of Conservation do not necessarily impose an automatic ban on the use of an area, but an environmental impact survey may be required with the application for an aquaculture licence.

    Evaluation of aspects investigated in this desk study has led to the development of an outline strategy for the development of a national seaweed aquaculture programme over a ten–year period. The realisation of the seaweed aquaculture programme is divided in three phases. The main objectives are to establish commercial seaweed aquaculture operations, to advance product development in different industrial sectors and to improve marketing structures.

    Author(s): Astrid Werner, Declan Clarke, Stefan Kraan

  • Strategic considerations for establishing a large-scale seaweed industry based on fish feed application: a Norwegian case study

    Soy protein concentrate (SPC) is a key ingredient in fish feed and most of it originates from Brazil. However, the Brazilian soy industry has reportedly resulted in significant environmental problems including deforestation. Consequently, new sources for protein are investigated and protein extracted from farmed seaweed is considered an alternative. Therefore, we investigate how seaweed protein product (SPP) can compete against SPC as a protein ingredient for fish feed. The study uses the positioning matrix, cost analyses involving the power law, and uncertainty analysis using Monte Carlo simulations, and key research challenges are identified. The initial finding is that, with the emerging seaweed industry, the cost of producing SPP is too high to be competitive for fish feed applications. To overcome this challenge, two solutions are investigated. First, substantial investments in cultivation and processing infrastructure are needed to accomplish scale, and a break-even scale of 65,000 tonnes is suggested. The second but more promising avenue, preferably in combination with the former, is the extraction of seaweed protein and high-value seaweed components. With mannitol and laminaran as co-products to the SPP, there is a 25–30% probability of a positive bottom line. Researches on extraction processes are therefore a necessity to maximize the extraction of value-added ingredients. Over time, it is expected that the competitive position of SPP will improve due to the upscaling of the volume of production as well as better biorefinery processes.

    Author(s): Jan Emblemsvåg, Nina Pereira Kvadsheim, Jon Halfdanarson, Matthias Koesling, Bjørn Tore Nystrand, Jan Sunde, Céline Rebours

  • Stocktake and characterisation of New Zealand’s seaweed sector: Species characteristics and Te Tiriti o Waitangi considerations

    This report provides an overview of seaweed species in Aotearoa that have commercial potential, as well as recognition of their cultural importance and the role of Māori in the emerging seaweed sector. (November 2021)

    Author(s): T. Wheeler, R. Major, S. Ogilvie, P. South, D. Romanazzi, S. Adams

  • Stock assessment of brown seaweeds (Phaeophyceae) along the Bitung-Bentena Coast, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia for alginate product using satellite remote sensin

    Indonesia needs at least 1,100 tons of alginate per year for various food and non-food industries with a value of about 420,000 US Dollars. These needs are met through imports from aboard. The raw materials for alginate, namely brown seaweed (Phaeophyceae) are very abundant in Indonesian coastal zones, but its stock level is not yet known. This study aims: to explore the biomass of brown seaweeds along the coastal areas of Bitung-Bentena, North Sulawesi Province by mapping their habitat, distribution and density using the effective and efficient tool of satellite remote sensing; and to compile preliminary results on the quality of alginate extracted from brown seaweeds. Result show that based on the isocluster analysis of Landsat-7 ETM+ and field sampling, we successfully classified 6 different habitats in the reef flats of Bitung-Bentena with map which had accuracy of 73.6%. The total area of brown seaweeds was approximately 127.1ha. Meanwhile, from 53 field transects, there were 6 species of brown seaweed with an average density for all species of 690.4 grams/m2. Thus, the biomass of brown seaweed was 2,133.5 tons wet weight, equal to 29.9 tons of alginate. This study proves that satellite remote sensing is an effective and efficient tool for such kind of works, and must be continued along the entire of Indonesian coastal zones. In this study, the preliminary results on extracting alginate from brown seaweed are also presented.

    Author(s): Teruhisa Komatsu, Sekar M.C. Herandarudewi, Sam Wouthuyzen

  • Status of integrated aquaculture - Agriculture systems in Africa

    Demand for animal derived protein source is increasing owing to the increase in human population throughout the world. Agriculture which is the major source of animal protein for the world is now facing challenges owing to scarcity of adequate land and water. As demand of water to industries and household are increasing, the share of water for agriculture production is substantially decreasing particularly in arid and semi-arid zones. Thus, there is need to develop viable technologies which can sustain production. It is in this context integrated rearing system has been proposed amongst the potential alternatives. In this context the principle of integrated fish-livestock and fish-crop farming involves rearing fish besides with livestock and crop production. These systems are especially relevant for developing countries since there is limited capacity of the farming community for intensive fed aquaculture. Socioeconomic assessment on integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems in the Malawi, Ethiopia and Nigeria have showed promising results towards combating poverty and malnutrition. Thus, the emphasis in this review is centered on compiling research and development outputs in integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems in the past few decades with an anticipation of providing information for policy makers to help make evidence based decision making.

    Author(s): P Natarajan, Solomon Melaku

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