Image
Credit: Leigh Tait/NIWA

Building a seaweed sector

Developing a seaweed sector framework for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Project LeaderDurationBudget
Serean Adams (Cawthron)November 2020 – September 2022$560,000

Overview

This project is complete and the Seaweed Sector Framework is now available. Other tools and resources are available at the bottom of this page.

Seaweed has huge potential to contribute to Aotearoa New Zealand’s blue economy.

In 2018, the global seaweed sector was valued at more than $13 billion USD, and grew 8% from 2016 to 2018 (fao.org). Global seaweed production has more than doubled in the last 20 years, exceeding natural supply - now more than 30% of global aquaculture production volume is seaweed.

Successful seaweed sectors overseas have hatcheries, large- and small-scale farming operations, processing capability and established seaweed-based products that supply markets. These are assisted by on-going research and development, and workforce support. 

Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, we have a fledgling but highly dynamic seaweed sector operating at small scales, but many gaps and barriers exist, limiting the potential growth.  

With the right framework grounded in ecosystem-based management (EBM) principles, a thriving seaweed sector could be possible in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

We are working with the iwi, stakeholders, industry, researchers, and government agencies that currently or plan to operate in the sector - either as farmers or as users of seaweed products - and consider the wider community, to co-develop a Seaweed Sector Framework grounded in blue economy and EBM principles. 
 
We: 

  • Have reviewed the current state of the seaweed sector, and published this Seaweed Sector Review in 3 parts:
    • Part 1 focuses on markets and regulation, including future market opportunities and priorities. It also includes information drawn from industry interviews conducted by Transitioning to a blue economy project.
    • Part 2 explores which species have characteristics of commercial interest, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi considerations
    • Part 3 explores the environmental effects of regenerative seaweed aquaculture (both positive and negative, ecosystem services and bioremediation)
  • Are co-developing a seaweed sector framework for Aotearoa New Zealand, incorporating EBM principles. 
  • Are testing the framework using seaweed case studies to understand how it can effectively operate across different scales (eg local, regional, national and small to large businesses). 

The Sustainable Seas Challenge defines a ‘blue economy’ as:  

Marine activities that generate economic value and contribute positively to ecological, cultural and social well-being. 

Research Team

Serean Adams (Cawthron)
Nigel Bradly (EnviroStrat)
Rob Major (Cawthron)
Marie Magnusson (UoW)
Victoria Jollands (EnviroStrat)
Sandra Cortez (EnviroStrat)
Leo Zamora (Cawthron)
Tom Wheeler (Cawthron)
Emma Newcombe (Cawthron)
Shaun Ogilvie (Cawthron)
Te Rerekohu Tuterangiwhiu (Cawthron)
Dana Clark (Cawthron)
Paul South (Cawthron)
Cam Inskeep (EnviroStrat)
Donato Romanazzi (Cawthron)
Rebecca Lawton (UoW)
Chris Glasson (UoW)
Deanna Clement (Cawthron)
Cam Ingram (Cawthron)
Andy Elliot (Auora, Wakatū)

Related News

Seafood Magazine: Shaping the seaweed sector20 Dec 2022Aotearoa's seaweed sector is ready to boom4 Oct 2022Media coverage in June 20227 Jun 2022Media coverage in December 202122 Dec 2021Media coverage in November 202122 Dec 2021Seafood Magazine: Seaweed could be a game changer12 Apr 2022Six rimurimu/seaweed species could put Aotearoa New Zealand on the map29 Oct 2021Media coverage in October 202112 Apr 2022Media coverage in September 20215 Oct 2021Media coverage in August 20215 Oct 2021Developing a rimurimu/seaweed sector would hugely benefit Aotearoa New Zealand9 Aug 2021Marine indigenous knowledge crucial for solving global challenges9 Jun 20212,000+ school kids discovered why rimurimu/seaweed is the next wonder crop28 May 2021Media coverage in March 20217 Apr 2021NZ school kids learning why seaweed helps our economy and nature8 Mar 2021Blue economy: core research topics13 May 2020Media coverage in November 201910 Jun 2020

Related Events

Webinar: Protect our future - perspectives from the UN Oceans conference

Project proposal

1016 KB | pdf

DownloadView

Location

This is a national project.

Tools & Resources

This project has produced or contributed to:

Aquaculture: Tools, resources and research
Summary
This is a research round-up of our tools, resources and research that are relevant to aquaculture. It is a living document, and more tools, resources and research projects will be added as they are developed. Date: 22 July 2021
View
A snapshot of the global seaweed sector
Graphic
This infographic visualises: which seaweeds make up most of the global supply; what they are used for; growth of seaweed aquaculture in the last 10–20 years; and which countries are importing, farming and wild harvesting. (August 2021)
View
What will enable Aotearoa New Zealand's seaweed sector?
Graphic
This infographic visualises the barriers and gaps that are impeding the sector, and what actions can be taken to address them. (August 2021)
View
Stocktake and characterisation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s seaweed sector: Market and regulatory focus
Report
This report assesses current demand, supply and regulation, and opportunities for (and barriers to) growth of the rimurimu/seaweed sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. Bradly N, Syddall V, Ingram C, Clarkson R, Elliot A, Major R, Adams S (August 2021)
View
Stocktake and characterisation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s seaweed sector: Species characteristics and Te Tiriti o Waitangi considerations
Report
This report provides an overview of seaweed species in Aotearoa that have commercial potential, as well as recognition of their cultural importance and the role of Māori in the emerging seaweed sector. Wheeler T, Major R, South P, Ogilvie S, Romanazzi D, Adams S (November 2021)
View
Stocktake and characterisation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s seaweed sector: Environmental effects of seaweed wild-harvest and aquaculture
Report
This report describes the ecosystem services provided by seaweed and the potential environmental impacts of a seaweed sector. Clark DE, Newcombe E, Clement D, Magnusson M, Lawton RJ, Glasson CRK, Major R, Adams S (November 2021)
View
Possible ecosystem services and negative environmental effects associated with seaweed aquaculture in coastal environments
Graphic
This infographic indicates the likely nature and degree of effect by large or small '-' or '+' symbols. (November 2021)
View
Carbon cycle within a seaweed farm
Graphic
This infographic shows the pathways of carbon flow from seaweed aquaculture based on measurements and calculations of carbon sequestration pathways in wild seaweed beds (Krause-Jensen & Duarte 2016). The amount of carbon removed from the ocean in harvested seaweed is not quantified. (November 2021)
View
Te Au o Te Moana | Special webinar series: Blue Economy
Presentation
Webinar presentation by Nick Lewis, Nigel Bradly, Julie Hall, Matt Miller, Simon Milne, John Reid & Oliver Wilson, April 2022 (60 mins + 27 mins Q&A)
View
Seafood: Tools, resources and research
Summary
This is a research round-up of our tools, resources and research that support an ecosystem-based management (EBM) approach to the seafood industry (July 2022)
View
Protect our future: perspectives from the UN Oceans conference
Presentation
Webinar presentation by Sally Paterson (Live Ocean Foundation) and Nigel Bradly (EnviroStrat) August 2022 (20mins + q&a)
View
Seaweed Sector Framework
Guidance
This co-developed roadmap shows how Aotearoa New Zealand could grow its rimurimu/seaweed sector in a way for the country to gain environmentally, socially and culturally as well as economically (October 2022)
View
Seaweed Summit
Video
The first ever Seaweed Summit in Aotearoa New Zealand was held on 7 October 2022, organised in partnership with ANZSA, Aquaculture NZ and Cawthron.
View
Strategically launching a rimurimu/seaweed sector 
Summary
This impact case study demonstrates the role Sustainable Seas research has played in understanding the current sector in Aotearoa New Zealand, and identifying what could help it grow (August 2022)
View
Our research in action
Summary
These impact case studies show our research is supporting management, influencing policy, and inspiring the next generation. Each was developed at a point in time to showcase our work.
View
Key environmental considerations for seaweed aquaculture in Aotearoa New Zealand
Report
Howarth L & Major R (October 2023)
View
Factsheet: Environmental considerations for seaweed aquaculture
Summary
Assessing the environmental effects of seaweed aquaculture in Aotearoa New Zealand (September 2023)
View
Building a seaweed sector
Summary
View

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