Seaweed aquaculture: cultivation technologies, challenges and its ecosystem services

Seaweed aquaculture technologies have developed dramatically over the past 70 years mostly in Asia and more recent-ly in Americas and Europe. However, there are still many challenges to overcome with respect to the science and to socialacceptability. The challenges include the development of strains with thermo-tolerance, disease resistance, fast growth,high concentration of desired molecules, the reduction of fouling organisms and the development of more robust andcost efficient farm systems that can withstand storm events in offshore environments. It is also important to note thatseaweed aquaculture provides ecosystem services, which improve conditions of the coastal waters for the benefit of otherliving organisms and the environment. The ecosystem services role of seaweed aquaculture and its economic value willalso be quantitatively estimated in this review.