Above: Scoubidou boats harvesting Laminaria digitata off the coast of Brittany
Right: Kelp is a generic name for large brown algae of the order Laminariales. Under the right temperatures and light conditions (in Ireland in spring and autumn), the kelp blades form darl patches on the surface which produce zoospores. These spores attach to the substrate and grow into tiny filamentous male and female plants, the gametophytes. The female gametophyte produces eggs, which are fertilised by the spermatozoids produced by the male gametophytes. The fertilised egg develops to form young kelp plants
what effects harvesting will have on other components of the kelp communities. It is, therefore, quite clear that we must adopt a policy of sustainable harvesting for our seaweed resources or they will become as decimated as some of our other marine resources. To this end, a wide range of techniques have been developed worldwide to cultivate seaweed, depending on the species being farmed, the life cycle and biogeographical factors.
In general, fragments of adult plants,
juvenile plants, sporelings or spores are seeded onto either ropes or other substrata in nurseries and the plants are on-grown to maturity at sea. Because of the complex lifecycles of many seaweeds, a detailed knowledge of both the biology and life history of the plants is critical, particularly at the nursery/hatchery stages. It is from initiatives such as this, that we source our raw materials for our diverse range of Sea-Chem products, as this is totally in keeping with our
company ethos of environmental sustainability. In our third and final article we shall look at the amazing range of applications for which seaweed is used and, in particular, the great benefits that it can give to the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated land and amenity land care.
For further information on this fascinating subject contact Steve Nicholls, Sea-Chem Ltd. on 01746 710799 or email
steve.nicholls@
sea-chem.co.uk Website:
www.sea-chem.co.uk
Example of an Irish kelp farming trial with seeded ropes wrapped around a long line
“It is quite clear that we must adopt a policy of sustainable harvesting for our seaweed resources or they will become as decimated as some of our other marine resources”
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