Seaweed Digest - June 15th 2022

The World Economic Forum is encouraging individuals to increase their consumption of seaweed as a sustainable and nutritious food source. "Seaweed is a highly versatile and nutritious plant!"

Posted on Jun 15, 2022 by Md Sharif

  • World Economic Forum urges people to consume “climate beneficial foods” such as seaweed, algae and cacti to save the planet, and ditch meat and other foods deemed to be harmful to the planet.
  • Algae represent an alternative to traditional sources of protein since more than half of their dry matter consists of proteins, Some algae can contain up to 63% (Soy only contains 40% protein).  
  • Worldwide seaweeds are saving the equivalent of carbon dioxide emitted by more than 300,000 cars each year, according to new research from Germany – which also shows that the amount of sugar released by seagrasses would be enough to produce dozens of billions of sugary fizzy drinks.

  • Taiwan to build solar-powered aquaculture farm. Once constructed, the project will produce 210,000 megawatt hours of renewable electricity a year – enough to power roughly 43,000 homes and save 133,770 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

Marea and Algalif to co-develop food coatings from leftover algae biomass, it will both reduce plastic use and reduce food waste by increasing the shelf life of food.

Science and Technology:

New research from New Zealand could soon allow marine farmers to check on their crops remotely, rather than going out on the water.

Researchers from UCO, Spain designed an open-source, “plug and play” digital aquaculture system. This system will use IoT devices that collect data from sensors, send information in real time to the user and can be used to activate water change, oxygen addition, food dispense or adjust the temperature or ventilation.

New Products

  • Auckland-based start-up  NewFish is making plant-based mortadella from microalgae, raising funding of US$ 816,000 in pre-seed funding round.
  • Currach Whiskey - the perfect union of the Irish land and sea.
  • Smile & Take’s seaweed biscuits.

Further reading

  • Ocean Explorer Magazine from Scottish Association for Marine Science.

The following narratives continue to make a buzz on social media:

  • Seaweed farming to reduce carbon emissions.
  • The food production of the future is in the sea.
  • Notpla, alternate plastic from seaweed. / Seaweed in the packaging industry
  • Seaweed to reduce methane emission in cows/seaweed as cattle supplement.
  • Seaweed uses in fashion/clothing.
  • Algae is a source of Omega-3s, DHA, EPA, Iodine, etc.
  • Seaweed uses in alcohol.
  • Algae uses in medicines for cancer, diabetes, and thyroid.
  • Seaweed is a source of a range of vitamins and minerals, including iodine, calcium, iron, dietary fibers
  • Seaweed in food, snacks, etc.
  • Seaweed-based fertilizer and soil additives

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