SCALABLE STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE SUSTAINABLE RED SEAWEED AQUACULTURE IN LAND-BASED CULTIVATION SYSTEMS

Project Goal. The proposed research will support the development of environmentally and commercially sustainable aquaculture systems for intensified production of commercially significant red seaweed in land-based cultivation systems. In particular, Gracilaria species are a source of plant-based protein and industrial phyco-colloids, which together constitute nearly 90% of the ash-free dry weight of the biomass. The biomass is produced using non-potable seawater, CO2 from air or waste combustion gases, and sunlight. The research will focus on integration of biological and bioprocess engineering approaches to automate and intensify the inoculation and grow out processes in land-based cultivation systems, resulting in increased productivity and labor-saving production technologies designed to reduce risk for advancing the nascent red seaweed aquaculture enterprise in the United States.Project Objectives. This proposed project will integrate biological and engineering approaches to develop new propagation and intensified cultivations strategies for commercially-significant red seaweed within genus Gracilaria, and test these new strategies in land-based, scalable environments. The Project Objectives are to:1) Establish and maintain clonal strains for two Gracilaria species of emerging commercial significance, G. pacifica and G. parvispora;2) Develop scalable processes to inoculate Gracilaria onto a porous mesh support using a mechanical blending and fluidic injection process;3) Test inoculated Gracilaria panels in relevant scalable environments in collaboration with our private partner Oregon Seaweed;4) Develop extension programming to support and promote red seaweed aquaculture in the US Pacific region.