"Seaweed" experts meet at AFBI

AFBI's Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems Branch recently hosted the first stakeholder event for the Sustainable Algae NI (SANI) project. This project, led by AFBI’s Matthew Service, is focused on assessing the feasibility of algal aquaculture in Northern Ireland and is DAERA E&I funded

The event brought together organisations from UK & Ireland who work with seaweed to meet and discuss current industry knowledge with their counterparts here. It was the first time these bodies have met in this way in NI.

The aim of the SANI project is to develop recommendations for seaweed production and utilization of local species, and identify what obstacles need to be overcome to make a viable local market for seaweed biomass and products.

The group enjoyed presentations from AFBI and other stakeholders including a personal testimony from Kate Burns of Islander Kelp regarding the set-up of the only seaweed farm in NI, and advice from an industry representative on incentives to encourage growth and investment for a successful seaweed market.

Much of the current market in NI is focused on artisanal products for human consumption, cosmetics, and plant stimulants. There is also growing interest in the use of seaweed supplements in livestock feed to reduce methane emissions.

The delegates agreed that important areas which will need to be addressed include active monitoring/policing of wild harvesting, social licensing for any new infrastructure along the coastline to promote acceptance by local community and the need for defined quality standards for seaweed used in products for consumption entering the marketplace.

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