In Bantry, on Ireland’s west coast, this PHAROS demo will explore the benefits of integrating polyculture macroalgae with a large salmon farm. Partnering with BMRS and leveraging insights from the Ultfarms Mission project, this demo aims to assess the unique marine conditions distinct from those in Demo 1. The trial will involve two sites: one in Bantry, where high-biomass macroalgae species like Alaria esculenta, Saccharina latissima, and Laminaria digitata will be co-located with a salmon farm, and another in Roaringwater Bay, which will serve as a control. This setup will allow PHAROS to evaluate the biodiversity impact on the salmon farm compared to the control site.
In the farm environment, PHAROS will evaluate how macroalgal growth contributes to CO2 sequestration, enhancing biological productivity and storing carbon through photosynthesis. Coastal seaweed aquaculture, paired with ongoing algal biomass harvesting, may help mitigate ocean acidification locally. Demo 3 will also investigate the potential of increasing biodiversity by creating new habitats and nurseries for various species while improving water quality by absorbing excess nutrients. This includes examining if kelp cultivation can reduce eutrophication risks by removing nitrogen and phosphorus from coastal waters and boosting phytoplankton diversity. Additionally, PHAROS will assess the advantages of co-cultivating different seaweed species in polyculture systems, reducing competition and distributing nutrient intake more evenly than monocultures. Lastly, Demo 3 will explore the macroalgae farm’s potential as a bioremediation tool, providing new habitats for feeding, reproduction, and shelter for marine species such as juvenile fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and invertebrates
Can seaweed farming reduce salmon aquaculture’s impact? PHAROS Ireland’s first full season in Bantry Bay delivers complex, surprising results.
Off Gran Canaria, seabream, seaweed, sea cucumbers and artificial reefs form a closed loop system designed to restore the Atlantic from within.
The Atlantic Ocean of Gran Canaria is set to become a groundbreaking laboratory for nature-based solutions.
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