Large-scale research into a wide variety of algae is a step closer for Aotearoa’s first state-of-the-art aquaculture facility for macroalgae cultivation, with the granting of a seaweed and freshwater algae fish farming licence to the University of Waikato and WaikatoLink Ltd.
Aquaculture Senior Research Fellow, Dr Marie Magnusson says the licence enables both research and commercialisation at scale in the first operational multi-species macroalgae land-based farm: “One of our research programmes includes marine farming of tens of thousands of metres of kelp seeded onto lines, producing several kilograms of seaweed per metre. We wouldn’t be undertaking this scale of research if we had to deal with the resulting tonnes of biomass ourselves. Holding the licence means we can now work with our partners to commercialise the project, creating a win-win for everyone involved.”
The seaweed farming industry is still in its infancy in New Zealand, but with a clear government directive to explore blue initiatives there will almost certainly be additional licences granted soon.
“There are just so many opportunities for cultivating, developing and commercialising seaweed. This licence will break down a lot of barriers and open a lot of doors for partnership, investment and growth. It also adds student engagement opportunities and skills training in a growing industry.”
The University of Waikato’s Macroalgae Research Facility in Tauranga opened in November 2020. It is a state of the art aquaculture facility funded by the Tertiary Education Commission’s Entrepreneurial Universities programme and the University of Waikato through an algal biotechnology research project.
