Eat Your Greens!

Eat your greens! Probably something your mother always told you to do. These greens have evolved over the years when we have learnt which greens hold special healthy properties. Seaweed for example is packed with important nutrients and in the near future it may be possible to devour seaweed straight from the North Sea.

Let us take you back to November 2014, when the North Sea Farm Foundation launched a pilot ten kilometers off
the coast of Wadden Island Texel in the Netherlands. Two modules were placed in the sea wrapped in baby-seaweed
ready to attempt the first trial: to cultivate a kilogramme of offshore seaweed. Maritime Holland spoke to Koen van
Swam, with the foundation on two separate occasions. Once just after the start of the pilot and the second time recently. After the successful completion of the first kilogramme-trial.

Saccharina versus digitata

Van Swam: “The ultimate goal would be to have a fully functioning commercial seaweed farm, much like the currently existing mussel or oyster farms. Our aim is to show the world what is possible in regards to seaweed-farming. We started the pilot on 5 November 2014 partially financed by ourselves and partially by crowdfunding. To kick-off we lowered two modules into the North Sea. One module was a solid construction existing of a buoy adapted stainless steel frame around which the baby seaweed was wrapped. The other module was a more flexible one where a long line was attached to two buoys from which a five metre rope was suspended, around this rope the baby seaweed was wrapped. Furthermore, the pilot would test two types of seaweed, saccharina latissima, better known as seabelt and laminaria digitata, commonly known as oarweed, and would hopefully prove which of the two types could be most useful for offshore farming.”

Seaweed behaviour

On 5 June 2015 the first kilo was harvested. “It was a success”, Van Swam says with enthusiasm. “Everything stayed in its place and the seaweed had grown really well. The trial has been a learning curve as we now know that an earlier harvest would be best for the quality of the seaweed. The seaweed did look good. What was interesting to discover was that the seaweed behaved differently than seaweed that is cultivated closer to shore.

The weed was smoother, most likely due to the strong current out at sea, and also more dense. It had made itself sturdy enough to survive the waters. We are now looking at the composites within the seaweed and how it compares to other forms of farming. It is good to note that both types of seaweed did grew well. All in all a really successful first attempt.”

A chain of weed, companies and opportunities

“We want to create a seaweed chain where harvesting in the North Sea is possible and commercially viable”, continues Van Swam. “To achieve this goal we have initiated a seaweed platform which includes companies, entrepreneurs and knowledge institutes. This platform is focused on sharing knowledge and practical experience. We meet several times a year for a workshop or specific session and we also invite speakers to share their experiences and thoughts. We want to find a way to keep pushing forward together alongside offshore development and testing.”

To create a commercial seaweed farm the foundation is heading a group of leading companies who want to invest in seaweed farming. Some companies already involved are Hortimare, who supply the seaweed, but also fishing company Van der Zwan has attached their name to the cause.

“These are two different trajectories, on the one hand we have learnt from the trial what works in terms of when to plant and when to harvest, on the other hand there is still so much to learn and achieve. Mainly in terms of the partnerships we would like create. Further to that there are so many questions to answer: What will the farm look like? Which installations will we use? Would it be possible to achieve a mechanical harvest? These are questions that we are continually seeking answers for”, embellishes Van Swam.

The foundation hopes to run another test with the offshore seaweed preferably this season again. With some developments and adjustment to the installations and the experience of the pilot in mind. Van Swam: “We still have license for the same area of sea off the coast of Texel, so we will test again there. Though in time it would be great if we can expand the test sites to see if this influences the seaweed in any way.”

Frontrunner

“Yes, the future,” ponders Van der Swan, “we want to see more partnerships and increased cooperation. Not just maritime companies, but also other companies who farm, transport or process on land. Their knowledge is invaluable and we believe in cross-border cooperation. We are of course in talks with shipbuilders and processing companies, but we would like to see a mixed chain. 70 per cent of our earth is covered in water so the possibilities there cannot only be opportune for maritime and companies. So, yes, any company that feels passionate about offshore farming, seaweed or both is welcome to come on board. We do realise that investing in such a new project is daunting and costly as all start-ups are. Yet, it is also such an opportunity. The Dutch maritime industry has a solid reputation, especially regarding innovation. There are some countries and regions who are dabbling in offshore farming, but I believe we are one of the few countries who have the most up-todate knowledge and technological advantage to make this a success.“

From pilot to consumer Now, harvesting is not the final step in the chain. As processing and getting the product to the consumer is the eventual end zone. Van Swam: “The whole process is exciting, but even more so is getting the public exited about the product. Some people don’t quite know what to do with seaweed and other green produce from the sea, and for them, but also for enthusiasts, we will have a book coming out toward the end of September this year.“ The whole process is aimed at creating a durable, green and ecological product and chain, which in itself is an admirable process. Further to that, from a consumer point of view, who does not like the idea of home grown produce? Greens directly from our own North Sea. Wouldn’t our mothers be proud?

Rebecca van den Berge-McFedries