Workshop Focus On Seaweed
In Maine and elsewhere, seaweed is experiencing increased interest from aquaculturists, harvesters, researchers and those in the business of making products from marine macroalgae. This is due to some innovative research being conducted in the region, and because Maine now boasts the first and only commercial kelp aquaculture operation in the United States, Portland-based Ocean Approved.
The seaweed industry will be the subject of a workshop on Thursday, August 30 at the University of Maine Darling Marine Center. The workshop will cover the biology, culture techniques and products being made from seaweed, and will review the findings of a recent technology transfer project in kelp-shellfish polyculture, funded by the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center.
"Put the research together with the commercial activity, and there’s a buzz building," said Dana Morse, a marine extension associate with Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Cooperative Extension. "At this workshop, we hope to discuss future needs in research, product development, equipment and husbandry." The workshop will take place in Brooke Hall of the Darling Marine Center in Walpole.
There is no cost for the workshop, but space is limited and registration is required. To register, contact Dana Morse at 207.563.3146 x205, dana.morse@maine.edu or Sarah Redmond, 207.422.6289, sarah.redmond@maine.edu. For details about the project, visit http://www.seagrant.umaine.edu/extension/kelp-mussels.