Safeguarding the future of the global seaweed aquaculture industry

1.
Global aquaculture production continues to
increase, whilst capture fisheries stagnate.
Many wild fisheries have been
overexploited. Cultivation, if managed
sustainably, is a viable alternative.
2.
The seaweed industry is undergoing a rapid
global expansion and currently accounts for
~49% of the total mariculture production.
Unabated exponential growth in the last
50 years has meant that the value of the
industry reached US$6.4 billion in 2014,
providing jobs, predominantly in developing
and emerging economies.
3.
There is increasing need to address new
challenges imposed by trade and market
demand. Case studies clearly show that
valuable lessons can be drawn from the
major seaweed-producing nations and other
aqua- and agriculture sectors.
4.
Improving biosecurity, disease prevention
and detection measures are critical, together
with establishing policies and institutions.
This will provide incentives and steer the
long-term economic and environmental
development of a sustainable seaweed
aquaculture industry.
5.
This policy brief highlights key issues that
need to be addressed to create longterm
sustainability of this emerging global
industry, as it prepares itself for playing an
important role in the ‘blue’ ocean economy
agenda