Craig R. Johnson
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
With the participation of:
Blue Economy CRC, Southern Ocean Carbon Company ,Huon Aquaculture, Climate Foundation, Deloitte, BMT Group, Australian Maritime College, Department of Natural Resources & Environment, State of Tasmania CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation)
The talk outlines a large project (AU$3.24M) intended to set foundations for offshore kelp mariculture in SE Australia. The overall goal is to develop and test a production system for offshore kelp mariculture that is scalable, economically viable, attracts strong social licence, and supported by regulatory frameworks. Several distinct elements need to be integrated. The engineering component includes design and trial of a modular farm layout, and processes and infrastructure for outplanting and harvest. Another important engineering element addresses the challenge that surface waters in SE Australia contain insufficient nitrogen for commercial kelp farming. We will grow kelp adjacent to salmon pens as a source of nitrogen (ammonia), and in deep water (³100 m) where there is elevated nitrogen (nitrate) in water beneath the farm. The alternatives of using wave energy to pump nutrient-rich water from depth to irrigate kelp at the surface, and diurnal depth-cycling in which kelp are lowered to the nutrient rich water at depth during the night, will be compared. Monitoring will focus on physical loads on the infrastructure as a function of sea state and stage of development of the crop, the production performance of the kelp, and biotic and abiotic characteristics of the environment at the farm site and adjacent ‘control’ sites. Towards an appropriate regulatory framework, current policy and legislation will be analysed, regulatory arrangements for seaweed production in other countries reviewed, and engagement of industry members and policy makers on current policy and future options canvassed. Economic assessment includes both conventional economic viability assessment and natural capital accounting.