Seagriculture Speaker

About the speaker:

Phil is leading the red algal group, which is focused on controlling the lifecycle of two  species: Palmaria palmata and Asparagopsis taxiformis

Company info: 

Hortimare BV is the reliable, sustainable and long-term orientated supplier of high quality starting material for the seaweed industry globally. The long-term focus of Hortimare is to supply the right varieties of seaweed to build up a sustainable business that can compete with land-based agriculture.

Presentation:

Palmaria palmata (dulse), is widely harvested as a human food across the North Atlantic. It is the second most consumed seaweed in Europe, due to its favorable texture and delicate umami flavor. Demand for this species, greatly exceeds the wild harvest supply and this in-turn limits the development of new products/uses.  Despite numerous research efforts, publications and demand from seaweed farmers, the cultivation of P. palmata is not yet established as it is for the kelps.  Why?

I will discuss how the biology of P. palmata complicates seedstock culturing, breeding, economically viable seeding and farm cultivation. The peculiarities of its lifecycle biology also presents opportunities for innovation within these areas, which could also be used for other novel species. To solve P. palmata requires collaboration by experts from many disciplines working together.

Keywords: 

Lifecycle control, Palmaria palmata; seedstock; breeding; seeding; cultivation; innovation.