Current status of the algae production industry in Europe: an emerging sector of the Blue Bioeconomy

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The Animal Kingdom, Agriculture⋯ and Seaweeds

Marine macroalgae (seaweeds), are amongst the first multicellular organisms and, as such, the precursors to land plants. By the time ‘land’ animals arrived on the scene, terrestrial plants were plentiful and varied, and herbivorous diets developed in concert with the food sources most commonly available. However, skip forward several hundred millennia, and with the advent of agriculture, approximately 10,000 years ago, dietary diversity began to change. Today, the world is experiencing increasingly higher rates of debilitating, non-communicable diseases—might there be a connection? This paper reviews scientific evidence for the judicious use of various seaweeds in the reduction of heat stress, enhanced immunity, improved growth performance, and methane reduction in animals. The extensive, (super) prebiotic effects of selected macroalgae will also be highlighted. Key studies conducted across the animal kingdom provide considerable support that there is an overwhelming need for the guided and wise applications of increased usage of selected seaweeds in feed, food and supplements. Particular attention will be paid to the bioactive components, and nutraceutical qualities, of various seaweeds, i.e., the brown, Saccharina (Laminaria) spp. and Ascophyllum nodosum, and the red alga Chondrus crispus. Suggestions are put forward for benefits to be derived from their further applications

Sustainable harvesting of wild seaweed resources

Macroalgae have played an important role in coastal communities for centuries. In the past, they have been harvested and gathered from shorelines around the world for traditional uses such as food, animal feed and a crude fertilizer (marine manure). Today, seaweeds are used in a multitude of applications with expanding global industries based on hydrocolloids, cosmetics and food supplements, and also as a potential biofuel source. However, of the approximately 10 000 algal species reported to exist, only a small number are commercially utilized. While representing only a small fraction of total global seaweed production, harvesting and gathering \u27wild\u27 seaweeds has had, and continues to have, an integral role in many coastal societies, often being intrinsically linked to the cultural identity of those coastal communities. Today, 32 countries actively harvest seaweeds from wild stocks, with over 800 000 t harvested annually from natural beds. It is vitally important that seaweeds are utilized sustainably and that natural resources are effectively managed by coastal communities with vested interests around the world. As the popularity of seaweeds increases and the use of less traditional species with novel applications comes to the fore, it is critically important to make certain that the sustainability of the resource is ensured given the increased pressures of harvesting. Issues exist regarding ownership of the resource and its over-exploitation, and the implementation of environmentally damaging harvesting techniques must be avoided. Resource scientists, managers, conservationists, governments, and other stakeholders need to be proactive in the sustainable management of these vulnerable, yet valuable, resources

Sustainable harvesting of wild seaweed resources

Macroalgae, or seaweeds, have played an important role in coastal communities for centuries. Seaweeds have historically been harvested and gathered from shorelines around the world for traditional uses such as for food, animal feed and as a crude fertiliser. Today, seaweeds are utilised in a staggering variety of applications with an expanding global industry based on hydrocolloids, cosmetics and food supplements, and now as a potential biofuel source. Of the approximate 10,000 algal species reported to exist, however, only a small number are commercially utilised. While representing only a small fraction of total global seaweed production, the harvesting and gathering of “wild” seaweeds has had, and continues to have, an integral role to play in many coastal societies and this activity is often intrinsically linked to the cultural identity of coastal communities. Today, 32 countries are actively harvesting seaweeds from wild stocks, with over 800,000 t harvested from natural beds annually. It is vitally important that seaweed resources are utilised sustainably and that their health and longevity are effectively maintained. Coastal communities continue to play key roles in the management of seaweed resources around the world. As the popularity of seaweed increases and as more “trendy” seaweeds come to the fore, it is critically important to ensure the sustainability of the resource from increased pressures from harvesting. Issues exist regarding ownership of the resource, over-exploitation of this natural resource and the implementation of poor harvesting techniques. It is important that resource scientists, managers, conservationists, governments, and other stakeholders are proactive in the sustainable management of these vulnerable, yet valuable resources.JRC.D.2-Water and Marine Resource

Emerging seaweed extraction techniques: Enzyme-assisted extraction a key step of seaweed biorefinery?

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