The potential for sustainable seaweed aquaculture in Monterey Bay
Dr. Michael Graham Professor, Moss Landing Marine Labs President, Sustainable Seaculture Technologies, LLC www.seasteading.org Chile China
Japan Canada
The economy of nature
What is the role of seaweeds in the flow of carbon and nitrogen through natural systems?
A giant kelp forest food web from Graham (2004) Key to sustainable resource use aquaculture Nexus of: • environment • society • economy
$ Monterey Abalone Company • sea-based farm, produces live red abalone • white tablecloth clientele • Seafood Watch “best choice” Monterey Abalone Company
• hand-harvest kelp (5 tons weekly) • quality seed stock • minimal impact farm • environmental monitoring Can seaweeds enhance the sustainability of abalone aquaculture?
• all-kelp diet leaves red abalone with “non-red” shell • kelp must be harvested fresh weekly • weather and restrictions makes winter harvesting difficult • current diet results in 2-3 year grow out before market
farmed abalone
wild abalone Initial goal: Integration of red algae into abalone aquaculture
• funded by NOAA/California Seagrant • sea-based farming of Gracilariopsis andersonii • abalone feeding experiment Characteristics of red algal farm in Monterey Harbor
• Gracilariopsis andersonii successfully cultured through cuttings
• ave. growth = 11% per day; max. growth = 23% per day
• biomass doubles every 7-10 days
• harvested biomass can be used to reseed farm Integration of red algae into farmed abalone diet
• 1-year feeding study with 40,000 abalone
• increased health and vigor with mixed diet
• 25% increase in abalone growth with 5% red algae
• increased shell pigmentation with 2.5% red algae
farmed abalone
wild abalone Integration of red algae into farmed abalone diet
• 1-year feeding study with 40,000 abalone
• increased health and vigor with mixed diet
• 25% increase in abalone growth with 5% red algae
• increased shell pigmentation with 2.5% red algae
“super abs” Integration of red algae into farmed abalone diet
• 80% of connoisseurs chose “super abs” for flavor and texture
Pacific Edge Chef Mark Ayers Brand Monterey Bay: Seaweeds recycle carbon and nitrogen in nature … can we take advantage?
NO CO NH 3 2 NO3 CO CO2 4 NO CO2 NH4 2 CO2 3 NH4 NO3 NH4 NO3 CO2 NH4 CO2 NH4 CO2 NH4 Salinas Valley Watershed
• fruits & vegetables • vineyards • dairy • cattle • nitrogen levels often 100x higher H2O than coastal ocean Sustainable Seaculture Technologies, LLC
• utilize natural and anthropogenic carbon and nitrogen
• produce diversity of seaweed biomass
• facilitate commercial feed, fertilizer, biofuel, human foods
• integrate with curricula of local high schools and universities to develop global citizenry