Scale production of the seaweed Ulva ohnoi for bioremediation and bio-products

Question 1

What are environmental drivers for growing algae?

Answer 1

• Shift demand for protein from developing to developed nations -> increase of meat and seafood consumption
• population growth (9 billion by 2050)
• Aquaculture is the most efficient form of growing animal protein

Question 2

How to meet global demand for fish without damaging the coastal areas?

Answer 2

• prevent sediment runoff (N + P and suspended solids)

Question 3

What is the legislation for new land-based aquaculture farms

Answer 3

net zero discharge

Question 4

What are some of the defining factors of Ulva ohnoi

Answer 4

• Pan-tropical
• High temperature tolerance (35 C)
• High growth rate
• Variance in growth between locations
• Variance in growth within locations
• Potential to select strains

Question 5

What was done with the U. ohnoi during the 6 month intensive trial

Answer 5

• Stocking density: 1g (fw) L (7 days harvest)
• Productivity: 38g (dw) m2 day
• Temperature: 28 C optimum

Question 6

How does the Pacific Reef Fisheries operation work?

Answer 6

Question 7

What is the biggest limitation for the Ulva farm?

Answer 7

Summer rain and resulting salinity drop

Question 8

What are some of the uses for Ulva?

Answer 8

• Food (umami taste)
• biostimulants and fertilizer
• animal feed (mineral, protein and lipid content can be manipulated)
• biofuels and bioenergy (high heating value)
• Nutriceuticals/ulvins
• Management of metabolic syndrome
• High sodium salt