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Furthering knowledge of seaweed growth and development to facilitate sustainable aquaculture
Author(s) -
Charrier Bénédicte,
Abreu Maria Helena,
Araujo Rita,
Bruhn Annette,
Coates Juliet C.,
De Clerck Olivier,
Katsaros Christos,
Robaina Rafael R.,
Wichard Thomas
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.14728
Subject(s) - aquaculture , biology , algae , pace , business , biomass (ecology) , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , natural resource economics , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , geography , economics , geodesy
Summary Macroalgae (seaweeds) are the subject of increasing interest for their potential as a source of valuable, sustainable biomass in the food, feed, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Compared with microalgae, the pace of knowledge acquisition in seaweeds is slower despite the availability of whole‐genome sequences and model organisms for the major seaweed groups. This is partly a consequence of specific hurdles related to the large size of these organisms and their slow growth. As a result, this basic scientific field is falling behind, despite the societal and economic importance of these organisms. Here, we argue that sustainable management of seaweed aquaculture requires fundamental understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms controlling macroalgal life cycles – from the production of germ cells to the growth and fertility of the adult organisms – using diverse approaches requiring a broad range of technological tools. This Viewpoint highlights several examples of basic research on macroalgal developmental biology that could enable the step‐changes which are required to adequately meet the demands of the aquaculture sector.