Joshua Masel1, Jessica Schiller1, Alexander Ebbing1, and Haik van Exel1
1 Hortimare BV, Altonstraat 25A, 1704 CC Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands
A seaweed farmer has two distinctly different methods of planting seaweed at their disposal. The first method is by using a hatchery, in which seaweed attach themselves on substrates under controlled environments. The second method is called direct-seeding, in which seaweeds are out planted directly in the ocean, rather than requiring a 6 week incubation period for their attachment. The seaweeds are kept in place on the ropes in the ocean, before they attach themselves, through a combination of specialized ropes and binders. The intricate balance between the catchment and attachment of the seaweed on the ropes, in combination with the chemical properties of the different binders makes this an exciting frontier of applied seaweed research.
Hortimare believes that direct seeding has a bright future, with great potential for further optimization. We therefore intensively collaborate with farmers from all over the world to validate and optimize their direct seeding practices. A machine that is both small, modular, and manually operatable was used with positive effect to standardize a variety of tests and reduce variance in long line yields. The fact that several farmers used exactly the same seeding method allowed us to compare results, and create a standard in the market to build from in the years to come. This presentation will delve deeper into the process of direct seeding, its challenges, opportunities, and potential pitfalls.
There are two distinctly different methods for outplanting seaweed at the disposal of a farmer. The typical method is by using a hatchery, in which seaweed attach themselves on substrates under controlled environments. The novel method is called direct-seeding, in which unattached seedlings are seeded directly onto ropes and out planted in the ocean, rather than requiring an incubation period (weeks-to- months) for their attachment. Direct-seeding uses a synergy of specialized ropes and binders to keep the unattached seedlings in contact with the cultivation ropes, while they attach themselves. This novel method may greatly reduce the cost of seeding, as well as encouraging seeding standardisation and opportunities for future automation. Scientifically, this is an exciting frontier of applied research, as there is an intricate balance between the catchment and attachment of the seaweed on the ropes, in combination with the chemical properties of the different binders.
Hortimare collaborates intensively with farmers from all over the world and using different species (mainly kelp) to validate and optimize direct seeding practices. We will present a direct-seeding machine that is both small, modular, and manually operatable. Several of our collaborating farms are now using this machine, allowing the direct comparison of results and a standard in the market to build from in the years to come. This presentation will delve deeper into the process of direct seeding, its challenges, opportunities, and potential pitfalls.