Macrosea: A knowledge platform for industrial macroalgae cultivation (completed)

Macrosea will deliver fundamental knowledge on macroalgae production, biology and technology for sea farm design, enabling industrial production of biomass at different climatic, ecological and physical regimes.

Glas tubes

Photo: Stein Fredriksen, UiO.

About the project

The Norwegian Government has drawn up a national strategy on Bioeconomy in which new marine bioproduction, and especially macroalgae, are expected to play a key role. Turnover of the Norwegian seaweed related industries is about 1.2 BNOK and employs approximately 400 people. The report "Value creation based on productive oceans in 2050" forecasts a 6-fold increase in annual turnover in the Norwegian aquaculture industry by 2050, with an increase to 20 million tons and turnover of 40 BNOK in the macroalgae industry. 

A report from 2014 summarizes the following topics as having R&D-needs to develop industrial cultivation: (i) early life stages, (ii) chemical composition and biomass production, (iii) environmental requirements and impact, (iv) biofouling and (v) modelling of sea farm systems.

Objectives

The UiO-work package of the project involves:

  • Establish methods to measure quality parameters.
  • Measure quality parameters for S. latissima and A. esculenta seedlings with different latitudinal origin. 
  • Adapt a seedlings protocol for industrial cultivation of P. palmata.
  • Measure quality parameters for P. palmata.

Outcomes

MACROSEA will deliver fundamental knowledge on macroalgae production biology and technology for sea farm design, enabling industrial production of biomass at different climatic, ecological and physical regimes.

Background

Cultivation of the oceans is required to meet demands for food, energy and biomaterials for a growing global population expected to reach 9.5 billion before 2050. Total freshwater and marine aquaculture production was ~96 million tons in 2013. However, new market demands and opportunities for multiple uses of macroalgae, such as food and feed ingredients, fertilizers and biofuels, have strengthened the motivation for industrial cultivation within Europe.
 
Norway, with one of the world's longest tempered and productive coastlines and comprehensive knowledge and industry related to aquaculture and marine technology, can take a leading role in this developing industry.

Cooperation

National partners: SINTEF, NTNU, UiB, UiT, APN, NIVA,

Published Feb. 9, 2017 4:01 PM - Last modified Feb. 22, 2023 11:16 AM

Contact

Led by SINTEF, UiO is a partner.