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

Informazioni relative al progetto

IntegraSea

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 800506

DOI

10.3030/800506

Progetto chiuso

Data della firma CE 11 Aprile 2018

Data di avvio 1 Febbraio 2019

Data di completamento 31 Gennaio 2021

Finanziato da

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Costo totale

€ 148 635,60

Contributo UE

€ 148 635,60

Coordinato da

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.)

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2019-02-01 al 2021-01-31

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

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.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

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.

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

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