May 2021 - Bay of Plenty Business News

May 2021 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 3
Researchers dive into
seaweed research
A new Waikato University research project has added to the portfolio of ventures
within the Sulphur Point marine precinct at Tauranga, with some cutting-edge work
exploring the commercial options for one of the country’s most common seaweeds.
By RICHARD RENNIE
The university’s researchers have
recently celebrated the commissioning
of a 1000sqm seaweed
research facility opposite the university’s
coastal marine research base on
Cross Road.
The University of Waikato’s
coastal marine field station at Tauranga
is the centrepiece for the university’s
new aquaculture major,
offered at the university’s Tauranga
campus.
The scientists have been working
on sea lettuce (ulva), the annoying
seasonal green seaweed that can often
clog the Main Beach and harbour
reaches, piling up in stinky green layers
in the summer heat.
The work has been focusing upon
producing soluble fibres with bioactive
properties for stock feed additives
and nutraceuticals for human
health benefits. Another by-product
of these processes is cellulose, suitable
for use in medical materials.
Funded with $4 million from the
Tertiary Education Commission and
$9 million from the university, the
facility includes 12 4000 litre fully
recirculated growing ponds and 12
1000 litre ponds, split between freshwater
and salt water.
Lead researcher Dr Marie Magnusson
says the facility provides her
and her colleagues with the opportunity
to explore an array of seaweed
and algae through their growth stages,
studying multiple uses for the plants.
[We are] confident the
Waikato University
researchers will move
from the big tank
trials to sea trials
within a year.”
– Dr Marie Magnusson
Opportunity to rear algae
The freshwater ponds mean algae
can be reared. Researchers will study
their role in bio-remediation, the biological
clean-up of waste-water and
polluted waterways, including dairy
farm effluent and urban wastewater.
Such algae also have a high protein
content, making them suitable as
a feed additive for animals.
“Closed loop” aquaculture systems
are also due to be studied, with
sea lettuce requiring carbon dioxide
to grow, while fish breath carbon
dioxide out, meaning the two may be
able to be farmed in balance.
Given sea lettuce only takes two
to three weeks to grow to harvestable
size, it is an appealing crop from a
commercial perspective.
Dr Magnusson is confident the
Waikato University researchers will
move from the big tank trials to sea
trials within a year.
In its simplest form, the sea lettuce
could be grown out as a feed source
for some fish species, and commercial
paua.
National standard for
aquaculture
Late last year a national environmental
standard for aquaculture was
formalised, providing the sector
with a clear pathway to scaling up
operations.
This was backed by multi million
dollar Provincial Growth Fund
investments, including $20 million
into an expanded mussel operation at
Opotiki.
Commercial trials of paua farming
and open ocean fin fish farms are also
proposed in coming years.
The government’s aquaculture
Dr Marie Magnusson, Waikato University lead researcher:
working with sea lettuce in the Cross Road research facility.
strategy released in 2019 aims to turn
the $800 million a year aquaculture
industry into a $3 billion one by 2035.
Other proposed uses for seaweed
researchers indicate they are keen to
investigate include earlier work in
Australia that has shown some positive
health benefits in rats from seaweed
consumption.
“There is also the potential there
as a general gut health additive. Due
to the level of soluble fibre it contains
it has positive effects on the gut
biome.”
Sea lettuce has also shown to
enhance plants’ immunity against
pests and diseases, offering the potential
as a non-synthetic treatment.
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