New Zealand university launches new macroalgae RAS site

The University of Waikato Macroalgae Research Facility in Tauranga, New Zealand, has officially opened its new Facility of Aquaculture Research of Macroalgae.

The cultivation research facility is focused on the development of sustainable technologies to enable the production of marine and freshwater macroalgae for biomass applications. This will ultimately deliver on New Zealand’s national targets to diversify the local aquaculture industry.

The university partnered with Fresh By Design (FBD) to supply and build the new facility using recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). The system is comprised of two identical, bespoke algae research systems for both fresh and saltwater use. These are all housed in locally sourced greenhouses using reverse cycle heat pumps for temperature control, according to information obtained from FBD.