As a promising emerging industry, Tasmania is leading innovative research trials exploring the benefits of commercial seaweed farming in the state.
Seaweed Farming in Tasmania
Seaweed farming is an emerging commercial industry for Australia. It offers promising potential for innovations in products such as animal feed, fertiliser, biofuels and food, as well as bringing benefits for the environment, employment and industry.
Tasmania is at the forefront of Australia’s seaweed industry, leading several seaweed farming research trials working to test and demonstrate the benefits of seaweed farming on a commercial scale.
Key Species
Tasmania has diverse marine ecosystems with over 750 species of seaweeds allowing for a wide range of seaweeds to be farmed for cultivation. Key species include:
- Asparagopsis armata
- Ecklonia radiata (Golden Kelp)
- Durvillaea spp. (Bull Kelp)
- Macrocystis pyrifera (Giant Kelp)
- Sargassum spp.
- Lessonia corrugata (Tasmanian Kombu)
- Ulva spp. (Sea Lettuce)
- Caulerpa spp., Chaetomorpha spp., Codium spp. (edible green seaweeds)
Cultivation Methods
Seaweeds are a vital food and habitat source for marine life. To protect Tasmania’s ecosystems, native seaweeds cannot be taken directly from the ocean.
On the east coast of Tasmania, a small amount of non-native seaweed is harvested from the wild, while Tasmania’s Marine Plant Fishery allows for the collection of native seaweed cast onshore.
This is different from seaweed aquaculture, which takes place through two types of cultivation:
Sea-based cultivation
The most common method for seaweed cultivation is through long-line aquaculture, where seaweed is grown on ropes suspended in water. Seaweed spores or seedlings are attached to the ropes, which are positioned at varying depths according to the light and nutrient needs of the species.
Some small to medium-sized species of seaweed can be cultivated using nets, which are secured in shallow waters in estuary or near-shore locations.
Land-based cultivation
Seaweed can be cultivated in raceways, tanks or pond facilities, where it is grown to the desired size before being harvested. Land-based cultivation offers the ability to control environmental factors such as light, temperature and nutrient supply, however it is a space, energy and cost-intensive option.
Land-based facilities are primarily used to support sea-based cultivation, for example by seeding ropes with spores or growing seedlings to attach to ropes in long-line aquaculture.
Seaweed FAQs
How can I establish a seaweed operation?To establish a seaweed farm you will need to secure a supply of seaweed stock from a licenced hatchery and identify how and where you plan to farm that seaweed.
If you need to undertake seaweed research trials, a permit under the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 may enable you to run trials prior to developing a fully licenced farm.You may also wish to review the existing Marine Farming Development Plan covering the area of interest, which contains information about existing aquaculture zones, the available leasable area and its requirements and allocated species.
Where can I buy seaweed products?
The Aquaculture Branch does not provide recommendations about where to buy seaweed products, however there are many active retailers in Tasmania. We recommend conducting your own searches online to source seaweed products.
Can I forage seaweed from the beach?
The Department does not consider seaweed found on beaches to be food-safe as it is not possible to predict how long the seaweed has been beach-cast or whether it may have come into contact with contaminants.
Limited recreational harvest of beach-cast seaweed for other purposes is permitted under certain conditions. Find more information about seaweed collection on the
Fishing Tasmania website.
Where can I find more information about Tasmanian seaweed farming?
Some useful resources relating to seaweed farming in Tasmania include: