Underpinned by Science
At SeaGrown our pioneering work in sustainable seaweed cultivation is underpinned by robust evidence. This resource area provides access to key documents, including scientific findings, operational reports, and impact assessments that detail our methods and their positive contribution to ocean health. We believe sharing our knowledge is vital for advancing sustainable marine practices.
REPORT
mNCEA
Recently, SeaGrown has actively participated in the UK government's ambitious marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (mNCEA) programme.
This important national initiative seeks to better understand the state of our marine environment and the invaluable benefits it provides to society and the economy. You can learn more about the overall goals and scope of the government's mNCEA programme on their official blog: Introducing the Marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment programme.
As a key contributor, SeaGrown undertook a detailed site-specific assessment, culminating in our own comprehensive SeaGrown mNCEA Report. This document presents significant data and analysis gathered over several years at our offshore Yorkshire coast site, covering biodiversity enhancement, water quality improvements, carbon sequestration, and the performance of our innovative Kelpedo™ cultivation system.
The final SeaGrown mNCEA Report is currently being finalised for publication and will be available to download directly from this page very soon. Please check back shortly to access the full report and explore our findings in detail.
PAPER
Under pressure: inhibited sporophyte growth of the sugar kelp Saccharina latissima (Phaeophyceae)
Developing efficient hatchery techniques is vital for the expansion of sustainable seaweed cultivation in Europe. This study, co-authored by SeaGrown's Science Director Professor Laura Robinson and Dr Hong Chin Ng explores the impact of potential mechanisation methods, specifically investigating how applying different levels of pressure during the zoospore seeding stage affects the subsequent growth of sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima). The findings demonstrate that increasing pressure significantly inhibits early-stage growth, providing crucial insights for optimising future hatchery technologies.
PAPER
Valorisation strategies for brown seaweed biomass production in a European context
To ensure the economic viability of brown seaweed cultivation in Europe, where production costs can be higher than in established Asian markets, effective 'valorisation' strategies are crucial. This review, co-authored by SeaGrown's Science Director Professor Laura Robinson, examines the potential pathways for adding value to key European brown seaweed species (Laminaria digitata, Saccharina latissima, Alaria esculenta). It evaluates diverse applications – from food ingredients and animal feed supplements to hydrocolloids, biostimulants, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals – concluding that a biorefinery approach targeting multiple, higher-value products is essential for the sustainable growth of the European seaweed sector.
