Is seaweed aquaculture the future of sustainability?

Environmental sustainability is becoming increasingly important. As the United Nations pushes for net-zero by 2050, it opens the path for new products and solutions to reduce our environmental impact. Promising research has been conducted on seaweed to reduce methane emissions within the cattle industry. The Australian Seaweed Institute reported that native seaweed Asparagopsis “has been shown to reduce methane emissions from cattle to almost zero when added to their feed”. This is an especially beneficial development for the agricultural industry as the digestion process of cattle accounts for more than 66% of all agricultural greenhouse gases in Australia.

There is no better time to start investing in the Australian seaweed aquaculture industry than now. At the end of 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrison flagged scaling up the environmentally responsible commercial farming of seaweed and algae as a priority action as part of the Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, which “recognises that the ocean is the life source of our planet and is vital for human well-being and a thriving global economy”. The priority action includes utilising seaweed and algae to provide food and create alternatives for products, such as fuels, aquaculture and agriculture feedstocks, biotech, and viable and sustainable plastic alternatives. This has led to the federal government investing AUD$59 million dollars to help establish the Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre (MB-CRC). The investment intends to increase the value and industry innovation within the seaweed and algae industry through research into the bioproducts of native Australian seaweed species.

Food and nutrition

The potential to replace seaweed imports valued at over AUD$30 million and the growing demand for functional food and ingredients. There is also potential for exports due to the pristine waters of Australia creating high-quality, clean and organic seaweed and can be marketed as such.

Biofertiliser

There is a AUD$2 billion organic fertiliser market that is growing. Seaweed can be used for horticulture and home garden products to capitalise on increasing demand.

Cosmetics

Global organic personal care and cosmetic products markets are expected to reach AUD$19.8 billion by 2022. Seaweed can be grown to target companies focusing on premium, natural ingredients.

Animal feed

There is an increasing concern about the environmental sustainability of meat. The demand for ‘low carbon’ meat and dairy will drive consumption. This provides opportunities to supply Asparagopsis, which reduces methane emission of cattle to almost zero, to dairy and beef cattle herds. Internationally, seaweed products can also be supplied to target jurisdictions with environmental standards on emissions from dairy and cattle feedlots.

Bioplastics/Biofabrics

There are a wide array of bioplastics and biofabrics that can be created using seaweed and algae products. Many market segments would be available depending on the bioplastic or biofabric. An example would be the Yeezy Foam Runner which is made with sustainable algae-based foam rather than crude oil polymers in other similar silhouettes.

Bioremediation solution

Seaweed can be implemented to consume and break down environmental pollution. It possesses the ability to remove vast amounts of excess nitrogen and carbon dioxide as it grows. An example of how seaweed can help with bioremediation includes reducing the nitrogen pollution threat to the Great Barrier Reef.