Seaweed Aquaculture for Food Security, Income Generation and Environmental Health in Tropical Developing Countries

Abstract

Phosphorous removal 1,000,000 tons Assumes phosphorous content 0.2% of dry weight. Represents 61% of the phosphorous input as fertilizer. Carbon assimilation 135,000,000 tons Assumes carbon content 27% of dry weight. Equals 6% of the carbon added annually to oceans from greenhouse gas emissions. Bioenergy potential 1,250,000,000 MWH Assumes 50% carbohydrate content, converted to energy. Equals 1% of annual global energy use. Land sparing 1,000,000 km 2 Assumes 5 tons/ha average farm yield. Equals 6% of global cropland. Freshwater sparing 500 km 3 Assumes agricultural use averages 1 m 3 water/kg biomass. Equals 14% of annual global freshwater withdrawals.

Deployment of Resilient Foods Can Greatly Reduce Famine in an Abrupt Sunlight Reduction Scenario

“…Finally, transitioning to inherently more resilient food production systems prior to shocks (e.g., closed-environment systems and modular designs) would also be conducive to warding off the impacts of ASRS 15,16 as well as other food system 40 risks. In a similar vein, expanding use of seaweed as a food and feed 41 source could directly draw down CO 2 , and reduce cattle methane emissions, improve food security around the world today by its use as a low-cost food source 42 , and reduce the food security impacts of trade restrictions 40 , pests 40 , ASRS 43 , and a loss of electrical and/or industrial function 44,45 .…”

“…Low-tech marine seaweed farm designs hold potential to be a low-cost, rapidly scaleable, and nutritious food source. Seaweed tolerates low sunlight conditions and cold temperatures 56 , and can quickly scale to high productivity 42 . For these reasons, seaweed is an especially promising food source in an ASRS.…”

Phytochemical Analysis and Molecular Identification of Green Macroalgae Caulerpa spp. from Bali, Indonesia

“…Seaweeds, also known as macroalgae, are eukaryotic and non-flowering plants with no true stem, leaves, or root surrounding their reproductive systems [ 1 , 2 ]. As with terrestrial plants, seaweeds also subsist by photosynthesis.…”

Exploring, harnessing and conserving marine genetic resources towards a sustainable seaweed aquaculture

“…Seaweeds consumed as sea vegetables, especially nori (Neopyropia/ Neoporphyra) are valuable protein resources for human nutrition (Fleurence, 2004). They are also used in animal feed, for example in polyculture or integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems to help meet the global demand for dietary protein and to contribute to global food security, aligning with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (Bjerregaard et al, 2016). As seaweed aquaculture is predicted to increase significantly, the growth of an economically and environmentally sustainable industry would create major opportunities for coastal communities and subsequently, contribute to poverty reduction (Cottier-Cook et al, 2016).…”