Integrated offshore cultivation of high value seaweed and their potential use in controlling harmful algal blooms.

Project Information

IntegraSea

Grant agreement ID: 800506

DOI

10.3030/800506

Project closed

EC signature date 11 April 2018

Start date 1 February 2019

End date 31 January 2021

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 148 635,60

EU contribution

€ 148 635,60

Coordinated by

INSTITUTO PORTUGUES DO MAR E DA ATMOSFERA,IP
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IntegraSea (Integrated offshore cultivation of high value seaweed and their potential use in controlling harmful algal blooms.)

Reporting period: 2019-02-01 to 2021-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

IntegraSea is in line with the EU Blue Growth Agenda, in seeking to develop and evaluate new opportunities for sustainable aquaculture development. The increasing interest in the incorporation of seaweed-based extracts into ‘natural’ products has created a new market for seaweed. While strong competition for terrestrial space is a constraint, offshore cultivation is growing fast, and Portugal shows potential for expansion. Furthermore, the need to comply with environmental standards is directing fish producers to consider Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems where seaweeds are integrated as a valuable crop and as waste bioprocessing means. Another potential advantage of large scale cultivation of seaweed is its integration with bivalve production. Several seaweed species have demonstrated allelopathy potential, inhibiting the growth of Harmful Microalgae which often lead to prolonged closures of bivalve production in Portugal, and across the EU. IntegraSea focuses on an innovative holistic approach to offshore cultivation of novel high value native seaweed species, together with their bioremediation and HABs’ mitigation potential in order to maximise economic and environmental benefits. IntegraSea results provide crucial understanding on the potential for seaweed cultivation in the Algarve region, and its environmental services.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Hatchery techniques were developed and optimised for several local seaweed species and grow out trials are underway.
Selected seaweed bioremediation and allelopathy towards toxic microalgae potentials were investigated with preliminary result analysis indicating promising possibilities.
Results will shortly be reported in relevant scientific meetings, published in open access peer reviewed international journals, and made accessible to the stakeholders in the aquaculture industry, policy makers and the general public.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The Covid-19 global pandemic has unwaveringly evidenced the need for Portugal, and the Algarve region in particular, to diversify its economic activities and become less depend on tourism. Due to its geographic and climatic conditions aquaculture is already an important sector in Algarve and can continue to expand, with the first offshore fish farm in the continent located at the Pilot production area of Armona (APPA).
IntegraSea provides underpinning knowledge for the industry aquaculture sector to consider algae cultivation in IMTA as an option for economic activity and has a means for sustainable expansion and development.

Saccorhiza polyschides sporophytes in string cultivation

Saccorhiza polyschides offshore cultivation in long-lines

Plocamium cartilagineum tetrasporophytes cultivation in string

Saccorhiza polyschides sporophytes cultivation in string spools

Plocamium cartilagineum carpospores string settlement