Jeffrey Wright1, Catriona Hurd1, Paul South2, Wouter Visch1, Stewart Frusher1, Greg Page3, Jessica Roach4, Vincent Yap1, Lindsey White4.
1 Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, 20 Castray Esplanade, Hobart, Tasmania, 7004 Australia
2 Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street East, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
3 Southern Blue Reefs Pty Ltd
4 School of Science, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
The Blue Economy CRC aims to develop offshore aquaculture and renewable energy systems. Bull kelp (Durvillaea spp.) is a strong option for offshore seaweed aquaculture due to its ability to tolerate high wave energy and produce high levels of alginates. However, basic biological information required for the cultivation of bull kelp (reproduction, early life-cycle development and growth, hatchery methods and grow-out requirements) are not known which represents a significant knowledge gap for developing a bull kelp aquaculture industry. This project aims to fill this knowledge gap for four bull kelp species (two in Tasmania and two in New Zealand) and provide the basis to cultivate bull kelp as part of the emerging seaweed industry.