Digital library

  • Seaweed Farming in Alaska

    Why seaweed farming is of interest in Alaska

     

    Although the people of Alaska have been using seaweed as a food staple for centuries,seaweed farming is only recently attracting interest in the state. Globally, demand forseaweed has soared over the past 50 years, far outstripping wild supply, according to theUnited Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Mariculture (the ocean farming offood) produces more than 96 percent of the world’s supply of seaweed products, currentlyvalued at $4-5 billion. Alaskans are starting to pay attention.Alaska’s potential for cultivation of kelp and other seaweeds is high, given its vast naturalmarine habitat with pristine water quality. Kelp, a large brown, cold-water seaweed, isthe primary focus. Seaweed culture is a logical business addition to established shellfishfarms since most utilize floating raft culture and are located on sites favorable to seaweedcultivation. Since the growth cycle of seaweed is fall to spring, it is compatible with otherseasonal occupations such as summer fisheries.Seaweeds contain important nutrients such as protein, vitamins, minerals, traceelements, and enzymes. Growing awareness of the medical benefits that seaweedprovides is boosting demand for seaweed-derived snacks and other creative uses infood products for human consumption. Increasing demand for seaweeds in the food,pharmaceutical, and animal feed industries will likely expand markets in years to come

    Author(s): Gary Freitag

  • Seaweed farmers’ parental involvement towards the education and recreational Activities of their children

    Brgy.Tiabas, San Dionisio, Iloilo is a coastal barangay in the northern part of Iloilo Province. The main source of living of the residents is seaweed farming. Most of them belong to the low-income family; hence they worked hard to sustain their basic needs. So, even if they have the eagerness to send their children to school and provide wholesome recreational activities to their children but still they could not achieve because of their socio-economic status. This paper sought to determine seaweed farmers’ parental involvement towards the education and recreational activities of their children in Brgy. Tiabas, San Dionisio, Iloilo. The respondents of the study composed of fifty (50) parents. Responses from the researcher-made questionnaire were used to gather data during the period October 2016 – December 2017.The study revealed that level of involvement of seaweed farmers in the education of their children was very high whereas in the recreational activities was high. Educational background and family income of seaweed farmers do not influence their involvement in the educational endeavor and recreational activities of their children. It means that seaweed farmers are very supportive and helpful in providing education and recreational activities of their children regardless of their educational background and meager income from seaweed farming. High and significant relationship was observed between the level of involvement of seaweed farmers towards the education and recreational activities of their children. Thus, it may be inferred that seaweed farmers give the same level of involvement in providing better education and wholesome recreational activities to their children. 

    Author(s): Ed. D., NILDE S. ALDERETE

  • Seaweed extracts as a natural control against the monogenean ectoparasite, Neobenedenia sp., infecting farmed barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

    Aqueous extracts from common tropical seaweeds were evaluated for their effect on the life cycle of the commercially important ectoparasite, Neobenedenia sp. (Platyhelminthes: Monogenea), through the sur- vival of attached adult parasites, period of embryonic development, hatching success and oncomiracidia (larvae) infection success. There was no significant effect of any extract on the survival of adult parasites attached to fish hosts or infection success by oncomiracidia. However, the extracts of two seaweeds, Ulva sp. and Asparagopsis taxiformis, delayed embryonic development and inhibited egg hatching. The extract of A. taxiformis was most effective, inhibiting embryonic development of Neobenedenia sp. and reducing hatching success to 3% compared with 99% for the seawater control. Furthermore, of the 3% of eggs that hatched, time to first and last hatch was delayed (days 14 and 18) compared with the seawater control (days 5 and 7). Asparagopsis taxiformis shows the most potential for development as a natural treatment to manage monogenean infections in intensive aquaculture with the greatest impact at the embryo stage.

    Author(s): Kate S. Hutson, Leonardo Mata, Nicholas A. Paul,, Rocky de Nys

  • Seaweed dietary supplements enhance the innate immune response of the mottled rabbitfish, Siganus fuscescens

    Disease is one of the major bottlenecks for aquaculture development, costing the industry in excess of US $6 billion each year. The increase in pressure to phase out some traditional approaches to disease control (e.g. antibiotics) is pushing farmers to search for alternatives to treat and prevent disease outbreaks, which do not have detrimental consequences (e.g. antibiotic resistance). We tested the effects of eleven seaweed species and four established fish immunostimulants on the innate immune response (cellular and humoral immunity) of the rabbitfish Siganus fuscescens. All supplements including different seaweeds from the three groups (Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta) were included in the fish pellet at 3% (by weight) and had variably positive effects across the four innate immune parameters we measured compared to control fish. Diets supplemented with the red seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis and the brown seaweed Dictyota intermedia led to the largest boosts in humoral and cellular innate immune defences, including particularly significant increases in haemolytic activity. Diets supplemented with Ulva fasciata also led to promising positive effects on the fish innate immune responses. We conclude that dietary seaweed supplements can boost the immune response of S. fuscescens and thus the top three species highlighted in this study should be further investigated for this emerging aquaculture species and other fish species.

    Author(s): Valentin Thepot, Alexandra H. Campbell, Nicholas A. Paul, Michael A. Rimmer

  • Seaweed Cultivation Techniques Gracillariaverrucosa in Pond Ujungpangkah District , Gresik East Java using Broadcast Method

    Seaweed is one of the sea cultivation commodities that are easy to be cultivated and have a good market prospect in improving coastal community empowerment. Moreover, the technology used to cultivate seaweed is also simple and inexpensive so it is suitable and easily adapted by coastal communities.Type of seaweed that has been cultivated in brackish water isGracilaria sp.One of the methods used for seaweed cultivation Gracilaria verrucosa is the broadcast method or spread.This method provides an increase in the growth length from 5 cm to 5.8 cm for 42 days and the weight of Gracilaria verrucosa seaweed from 10 grams to 14.1 gr for 42 days. This growth was influenced by ambient temperature including temperature 28-33 º C, salinity 5-17 ppt and degree of acidity (pH) 5-8.

    Author(s): Andi Rahmad Rahim

  • Seaweed Cultivation Strategies in Norway

    This presentation discusses the Seaweed Cultivation Strategies in Norway. The Multidisciplinary Support Tools:

    1. Marine biology

    2. Modeling

    3. Engineering

    4. Inter-Regionality

    will be used to reach the process of using seaweed for biofuel. 

    Author(s): Aleksander Handå, Silje Forbord, Ole J Broch, Kristine Stenhovden, Ingrid Ellingsen, Kjell I Reitan, Jorunn Skjermo

  • Seaweed Cultivation Policy Statement

    Introduction

    Background

    The Scottish Government (SG) is fully supportive of the sustainable growth of aquaculture, with due regard to the wider marine environment. The sector underpins the sustainable economic growth that supports both employment and the economic wellbeing of many fragile rural communities across Scotland. This includes the support and development of traditional aquaculture sectors, as well as possible diversification into other species, such as seaweed cultivation.

    This policy statement covers:

    • Commercial seaweed cultivation development size
    • Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) development

    Policy summary and purpose

    This policy statement aims to help facilitate the growth of the sector by setting out SG policy on the suitability of seaweed cultivation in different scenarios. This will provide those wanting to operate in this sector with a better understanding of the type of development that may be given approval. The overall benefit will be to provide greater certainty for the industry, while ensuring that activities which may have an environmental impact are understood and mitigated.

    Scotland’s National Marine Plan (NMP)

    Scotland’s NMP was adopted on 25 March 2015 and published and laid before Scottish Parliament on 27 March 2015. All authorisation and enforcement decisions by a public authority must be taken in accordance with the Plan, as must any other decisions which are capable of affecting the marine area. The application of the General Policies within Chapter 4 of the Plan will be particularly relevant in relation to seaweed issues. http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/seamanagement/national

    Policy development

    The Seaweed Cultivation Policy Statement (SCPS) has been informed through consultation in 2013 with various public bodies with an interest in seaweed cultivation and harvesting, including the Food Standards Agency in Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Historic Scotland (HS), and The Crown Estate. A consultation report www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2014/11/5316 and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report www.gov.scot/publications/2013/08/6786/0 were also completed.

    Author(s):

  • Seaweed cultivation in the Faroe Islands: Analyzing the potential for forward and fiscal linkages

    Seaweed has been coined the ultimate sustainable crop for a green transition. The European Union considers seaweed an important tool for mitigating CO2 emissions and making EU self-sufficient in proteins for feed purposes, but cultivation is still nascent outside South-East Asia. This paper studies seaweed cultivation in the Faroe Islands, which could provide the EU with large amounts of macroalgae due to promising geobiophysical conditions, and asks whether seaweed cultivation is beneficial for the Faroe Islands too. According to staples theory, this depends on whether resource-extracting industries are embedded in society through forward linkages (local processing) and fiscal linkages (tools for rent collection). The analysis suggests the potential for developing forward and fiscal linkages is negligible. Thus, if expansion challenges are successfully addressed, the findings serve as an early warning for policy makers: they must consider ways to circumvent market volatility if seaweed cultivation is to benefit the Faroese society.

    Author(s): Lotte Dalgaard Christensen

  • Seaweed Cultivation Business Development Strategy (Gracillaria sp) Through Spores Culture in Takalar Regency

    This study aims to calculate income and determine alternative strategies for seaweed cultivationbusiness development (Gracillaria sp) through spores culture in Takalar Regency. Using revenue, IE,SWOT, and QSPM formula analysis methods. The results showedthat farmers in Sanrobone subdistrictearned a higher income of Rp.3,609,100 compared to Mappakasunggu District which earned revenues ofRp.2,234,500. While the total score of values in the internal matrix is 2.92 and the external matrix is 1.31.The combination of the two values indicates the position of the business lies in cell VIII or growth strategy.The right strategy is to use quality seeds to increase export value, optimize the region as a productive area,and provide stock of spore seeds for export needs. These three strategies can be implementedsimultaneously, because they support each other.

    Author(s): Hamzah Tahang, Sutinah Made, Evi Angriani

  • Seaweed Cultivation Manual: Shetland Seaweed Growers Project 2014-16

    The Shetland Seaweed Growers Project

    Project Funding and Objectives

    The Shetland Seaweed Growers project was funded by the Coastal Communities Fund and undertaken at the NAFC Marine Centre in Scalloway, Shetland from June 2014 to December 2016. The project explored whether growing seaweed on a commercial scale is a feasible option within Shetland, in order to create jobs, generate income for the community and present new business opportunities for Shetland companies. Other aims of Shetland Seaweed Growers included supporting local businesses to incorporate seaweed in their products and to increase public awareness of seaweeds, their ecology and their uses.

    Partners and Industry Associates

    Scottish Sea Farms Ltd. was a commercial partner in the project and generously provided a six hectare licensed sea-site for growing seaweed at Sandsound South in Shetland. They also provided use of a work-boat, skipper and crew to help set up the necessary longlines; seadeploy the hatchery-grown seedlings, and harvest and sample the resulting seaweed crop. East Voe Shellfish Ltd. were industry associates of the project who were contracted to carry out the same tasks listed above on a second seaweed sea-site at Lea of Trondra, Shetland that is owned by the NAFC Marine Centre. Grieg Seafoods Ltd. kindly donated some drying/smoking racks to the project to allow the NAFC Marine Centre to dry bulk quantities of seaweed.

    Seaweed Uses

    Seaweed is used by many maritime communities in a variety of ways from simple food sources and fertilisers to more complex products such as gels, medicines, cosmetics and alginates.

    • Seaweed has been a food source for thousands of years, forming a staple part of the diet in countries like Japan, Korea and China. Particularly important seaweeds to the Japanese market belong to the Porphyra, Laminaria, Saccharina and Undaria genera. In European countries, seaweed has often been used as an alternative food source during hard times while Welsh ‘laver’ (Porphyra umbilicalis) and ‘dulse’ (Palmaria palmata), are considered delicacies by many.
    • Historically, kelp was burned on a massive scale (including in Orkney and Shetland) to produce ‘potash’ (potassium salts) for fertilizer. This practice has now been replaced by world-wide mining of potash ores.
    • Alginates are extracted from brown seaweed and used to create gels for foams, stabilisers, emulsifiers and industrial gums. They are also used by the cosmetic and health industries for body wraps, facial masks, soaps, shampoo and conditioners, make-up gels/creams, indigestion remedies, encapsulating particles and absorbent wound-dressings, along with a range of other products.
    • Liquid seaweed extracts from brown seaweeds are used as mineral and vitamin supplements in agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and, more recently, in human health products.
    • Agar is made from certain red seaweeds. In addition to being used in food production, it is universally used in laboratories as a substrate for bacteria cultures. There is currently no satisfactory substitute for laboratory agar.
    • Carrageenans are also extracted from red seaweed and are widely used in the food industry, for their gelling, thickening, and stabilizing properties. Their main application is in dairy and meat products, due to their strong binding to food proteins.
    • More recently the anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties of seaweed derivatives such as fucoidan and laminarin are being investigated by the pharmaceutical and medical professions.
    • There are numerous edible species that grow around the British Isles, including Shetland. Brown seaweeds are the most abundant, with kelps and fucoids such as Laminaria digitata, Alaria esculenta, Fucus spiralis, Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum. Dulse and Irish moss are edible red seaweeds that are widely harvested in Ireland.

    Shetland Businesses Currently Making Use of Seaweed:

    The Shetland Seaweed Growers project encouraged local businesses to diversify by incorporating seaweed grown by the project team into some of their products and/or undergoing training in sustainable harvesting of wild seaweed. Examples of participating companies include:

    Artisan Island Cheese, Hoofields, Lerwick. (Caroline Henderson).

    https://food.list.co.uk/place/57672-artisan-island-cheese/

    Mirrie Dancers Chocolatier, Lerwick (David Williams)

    http://www.shetland.org/60n/blogs/posts/mirrie-dancers-chocolatier-launch ).

    Orkney Soap, Kirkwall.

    http://www.cope.ltd.uk/enterprises/orkney-soap

    Saxa Vord Restaurant, Unst. (Steve Carter)

    http://www.saxavord.com/food-and-drink.php

    Shetlandeli, Bixter (Jill Franklin)

    http://www.shetlandeli.com/

    Shetland Distillery Company, Unst (Stuart Nickersen)

    http://www.shetlandreel.com/

    Shetland Fudge Company, Lerwick.

    https://www.shetlandfudge.co.uk/

    Shetland Garden Co., Lerwick (Ingrid Webb)

    http://www.cope.ltd.uk/enterprises/shetlandgarden-co.

    Shetland SeaSalt Co., Scalloway (Akshay Borges)

    info@shetlandseasalt.com

    Shetland Soap Co., Lerwick (Ingrid Webb)

    http://www.cope.ltd.uk/enterprises/shetlandsoap-company 

    Author(s): C. Rolin, R. Inkster, J. Laing, J. Hedges, L. McEvoy

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