Seaweed is a big thing in aquaculture now, and it is gaining even more importance as a tool to reduce dairy emissions. Last week we reported about the research that showed that the addition of algae to cows feed can reduce methane emissions. Methane is a greenhouse gas and contributes to climate change. Therefore, it is important to reduce emissions from dairy cattle wherever possible. If you want to learn more about how seaweed and the burping cows and climate change are linked, we recommend watching this entertaining TED talk on “What seaweed and cow burps have to do with climate change”. Recently the Hawaii-based Blue Ocean Barns company announced they put that research into practice by using a red seaweed-based supplement that allows cows to retain more energy from their feed instead of burping it into the atmosphere. The company states on its website: “Introducing the most effective burp suppressant for cows: Brominata™”

And there is more good news on seaweed farms: The Dutch-based company North Sea Farmers successfully harvested seaweed in the North Sea for the first time mechanically, thereby reducing cost and effort. This development is part of the EU Interreg project Wier & Wind.

As with all those novel technologies and developments, it requires different skill sets. This is where the EIT Food-funded AGAPE project can help build this skillset for the aquaculture industry.