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Published July 3, 2025 | Version v1
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Identifying a sustainable operating window for seaweed aquaculture in the Global North: balancing expansion barriers and carrying capacity

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Sjokovin - Blue Resources
  • 2. GEOMAR Helmholtz-Centre for Ocean Research
  • 3. Kiel University
  • 4. Dalhousie University
  • 5. ROR icon Norwegian Institute of Marine Research
  • 6. Ocean Rainforest
  • 7. University of Haifa
  • 8. ROR icon University of New England
  • 9. University College Dublin
  • 10. Vital Kelp Co.
  • 11. Marine Institute Ireland
  • 12. ROR icon University of Tartu
  • 13. Oceana Organic Products Ltd
  • 14. Royal Netherlands Institute (NIOZ)
  • 15. ROR icon Wageningen University & Research
  • 16. Wageningen University, Netherlands
  • 17. Finnish Environment Institute
  • 18. KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Description

Seaweed aquaculture is a growing blue sector that provides many benefits to society (e.g. biomass provision for food, feed and cosmetics) and the environment (e.g. eutrophication mitigation, carbon uptake and habitat provision). Successful and sustainable production expansion requires that these activities are operated within limits of acceptable change (LAC), i.e. aligned with ecological and social carrying capacity. Emerging from a three-round Delphi study, this work presents, from a Global North perspective, the most relevant (1) limiting variables from the socio-environmental spheres that influence the cultivation unit (inputs), such as high operating costs, underdeveloped markets, or uncertain impacts from climate change, and (2) the negative impacts of aquaculture on environment and society (outputs), such as overhyped and unrealistic expectations, conflicts with fisheries, or pollution. Consolidated lists of these inputs and outputs are accompanied by specific thresholds beyond which unacceptable changes are likely to occur. These results are placed into a globally applicable holistic framework for a multidimensional assessment of seaweed aquaculture including barriers and carrying capacity, outlined for the first time for seaweed cultivation. The study emphasizes including socio-economic aspects in ecosystem approaches, such as profitability or social license to operate, and ensuring broad stakeholder participation. This research provides a directly usable list of aspects for cultivators and decision-makers and contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable growth of this emerging blue sector.

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Additional details

Funding

European Commission
SeaMark - Seaweed based market applications 101060379