SEAWEED IS A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
Seaweed has amazing properties; its use in industry is vast. Its unique compounds have led to a myriad of applications within high value markets with many more innovations on the horizon. Also, of great significance is the recognition it is now receiving with key reports being published reporting on its economic and environmental potential including The Seaweed Manifesto highlighting seaweeds potential in contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The most nutrient rich plant on the planet:
Low in fat and rich in proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins.
Advanced developments in Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals, Cosmeceuticals and recently in Medical Devices using graphene technology.
Development of an industry creates direct and indirect new employment opportunities.
A stream of R&D opportunities with advancements in technology and new cutting-edge discoveries, including integrating seaweed farms with other technologies – Multi-Use-Platforms (MUP’s).
Urgent action is needed to ensure that current needs do not lead to over-extraction and further degradation of the environment. Key polices are being developed on sustainable farming of seaweed and developments are underway such as bioplastics from seaweed.
It requires no land and no fertilisers to grow. Seaweeds could help mitigate climate change as it is more effective than trees at absorbing CO2. In addition, seaweed in feed reduces methane emissions in ruminants.
Contributes to marine ecosystems and ocean restoration. Seaweed could also serve as the basis of new integrated aquaculture with fish and shellfish.