Working towards the food for the future

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Cultivation of seaweed (macroalgae) for food is a vast economic sector in Asia, due the taste (“umami”) and health benefits of edible species. In Europe, macroalgae cultivation faces challenges of economic viability and availability of species, as well as sufficient locations for the exponential growth expected in the future.

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The SølKelp project develops and implements innovative cultivation strategies with mutual relevance for both geographic boundaries (Portugal and Norway). Activities include expansion of a Kelp (brown macroalgae) hatchery in Portugal, growth tests in the Portuguese sea (to investigate technical challenges with full exposure to swell), and transfer of cultivation techniques to Palmaria palmata (“Søl”) from Portugal to Norway, where there are better conditions for large-scale production of this valuable species.