by What is Seaweed?
Seaweed refers to several species of macroscopic, multicellular, marine algae. They generally grow in shallow seas and estuaries, usually attached to rock or other hard surfaces in coastal areas. Common types of seaweed used commercially include nori, dulse, kombu, wakame, agar and carrageenan.
Commercial Seaweed Cultivation Methods
Seaweed farming takes place in controlled offshore environments using various cultivation methods. For nori and wakame production, seaweed spores are attached to nylon or polyester nets suspended from longlines. The nets are anchored to the seafloor and lines are adjusted daily based on tidal patterns. For knotted wrack and kelp, spores are attached to hanging lines or placed directly on the Commercial Seaweed substrate in designated areas. Farm boundaries are marked with surface floats to avoid drift onto nearby reefs or beaches.
Harvest and Processing
Nori and wakame farms are typically harvested after 3-6 weeks of growth by reeling the nets onboard pontoon boats. Kelp may take 9-18 months to reach harvestable size depending on the water temperature. The harvested seaweed is then washed, dried and packaged onshore within hours to preserve quality and nutrients. Dried nori sheets are used to wrap sushi and in broths, while wakame is rehydrated for use in soups. Kelp is processed into flakes or powders for food, feed and industrial applications.
Asia Pacific dominates production and consumption led by China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan. Nori accounts for over half of the due to large Japanese exports. Other major species include kelps such as kombu and wakame harvested from coastal waters around China, Korea and Southeast Asia. Seaweed farming is also developing in Atlantic Canada, Iceland, Ireland and along the Pacific Northwest of North America.
Health and Nutritional Benefits
Seaweeds are among the most nutrient-dense foods on Earth, containing high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fibers. Nori is a concentrated source of protein, vitamins A and C, iron, calcium and iodine. Kelp provides vitamins K and B12 along with potassium, magnesium, copper and folate. Studies also show Commercial Seaweed may aid digestion, support heart health, lower blood pressure and help manage weight. Their polysaccharides like alginate are being researched for cancer prevention and immune-boosting properties. Growing awareness of these benefits is propelling the seaweed industry’s expansion into new consumer.
Applications in Food, Feed and Beyond
Traditional uses of seaweeds in Asian cuisines as ingredients and seasoning have expanded worldwide. They are now commonly found in salsas, salads, soups and broths. Seaweeds also find applications as natural thickeners, stabilizers and gelling agents in foods, beverages, personal care products and pharmaceuticals. As the feed industry sees rising demand, seaweeds are being evaluated as sustainable, nutrient-dense aquaculture feeds for fish, poultry and pigs to replace fishmeal imports. Other innovative applications utilize seaweed extracts in bioplastics, biofuel and fertilizer production, offering green alternatives.
Challenges and Sustainability
Due to increasing global demand for high-value commercial seaweed, overharvesting from natural stocks poses risks to coastal marine biodiversity and ecosystem health if not properly managed. Seaweed aquaculture presents a more sustainable solution through controlled farming practices that support livelihoods without depleting the oceans. Farms must avoid escapes or disease transmission that could disrupt local seaweed populations. Water quality impacts due to nutrient loading or antifouling chemicals also require monitoring. Development of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture combining seaweeds with shellfish or finfish could help optimize resource use while regenerating environments. With sustainable practices, seaweed farming shows much promise as a thriving blue economy sector.
Role in Climate Action and Food Security
Seaweed cultivation can help address two urgent global challenges – climate change and lack of nutritional food access. Farms that use minimal energy and capture carbon through photosynthesis function as effective carbon sinks. When harvested biomass displaces fossil fuel-intensive products and feeds, seaweed mitigates greenhouse gases. As a climate-resilient crop, it provides a buffer against weather fluctuations threatening other agriculture. Being 3-4 times more productive per acre than land crops, seaweeds could play a role in sustainably meeting rising food demand from population growth while preserving ecosystems on land. Governments and investors increasingly recognize seaweed farming’s intersection of environmental, social and economic potential.
Commercial seaweed with nutritional benefits and diverse commercial uses, the seaweed industry has emerged as an overlooked but promising blue economy sector. Sustainable aquaculture practices ensure it will keep growing to serve health, food security and climate goals worldwide.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
