Seaweed farming in the North Sea
The eutrophic North Sea offers good possibilities for cultivation of seaweeds, especially in a multi-use setting, e.g. in combination with wind farms and shellfish production. Ecophysiological and genetical research is at NIOZ combined with model simulations, and field and remote sensing observations assessing production and ecological carrying capacity for seaweeds. Research with native North Sea seaweed species aims at a better understanding of opportunities and threats accompanying this innovative form of aquaculture for sustainable food and energy production.