Sander van den Burg1, Jen Banach2, Sophie Koch1,3, Robbert Jak3& Reinier Nauta3
1Wageningen Economic Research, PO Box 29703, 2505 LS, The Hague, Netherlands
2Wageningen Food Safety Research, P.O. Box 230, 6700 AE Wageningen, The Netherlands
3Environmental Economics and Natural Resource Group, Wageningen University, Leeuwenborch (building 201), Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands
4Wageningen Marine Research, Ankerpark 27, P.O. Box 57, 1780 AB Den Helder, The Netherlands
There is increased attention to seaweed cultivation in European waters to reduce dependency on imported biomass and as an alternative to terrestrial agriculture. Seaweeds are presented as sustainable, natural biomass. Yet, there are concerns about how food safety is considered, limits to ecosystem carrying capacity, and occupational health and safety. If not implemented well, these could hamper sector development or result in irreversible damage to the natural system or human wellbeing. A shared view on the relevance, assessment and mitigation of risks can help bring the seaweed sector further.
The Safe Seaweed by Design project aimed to support the seaweed sector in dealing with safety issues. Based on a literature study, interviews, surveys, and a pilot, the project identified key safety aspects and developed protocols to assess, prevent, and mitigate risks.
Given the diversity of seaweed species, production locations, methods and applications for harvesting and analysis, among other factors, there is a multitude of perspectives and points of views to consider safety. Our project delivers a generic protocol highlighting key safety issues when cultivating seaweed. Methods to assess the most relevant risks on a case-by-case basis are presented. This includes suggestions for real-time monitoring, using remotely operated vehicles to evaluate benthic impacts, and sampling and analysis for food safety contaminants and environmental impact. Considering the diverse safety needs, we recommend that those responsible for licensing, policy and/or regulatory compliance communicate and work together with sector stakeholders to support safety. Our results will be presented and can be used by the seaweed sector to ensure safety is taken on board in the sector’s future development.