Production of Seed Stocks for Sustainable Tank Cultivation of the Red Edible Seaweed Porphyra

Porphyra species (commonly known as ‘nori’ or ‘purple laver’) are edible red seaweeds rich in proteins, vitamins and other highly valued biogenic compounds. For years Porphyra has been cultured using seeded nets extended in the open sea, and its biomass consumed primarily in the Far East. While demands for international markets have increased steadily at an average of 20% per year, supplies are on the verge and not expected to meet future demands. Alternatively, land-based cultivation of seaweed has become attractive in the mariculture industry since (1) important growth parameters can be controlled, (2) is environmentally friendly and (3) perfectly matches with integrated aquaculture leading to sustainable, high quality products. During the last few years a tank cultivation technology for Porphyra has been developed at the Israeli institution. This technology is based on indoor production of asexual spores and their subsequent growth to 1-2 mm seedlings. The seedlings are then transferred to outdoor tanks and ponds when seawater temperatures drop to 20 °C, or below, and days become shorter during winter time. However, the current technology efficiently serves only about 100 m2 of ponds during one growth season. In order to produce seedlings in sufficient amounts, it is critical to address both technical and biological aspects of seedling production, securing optimal up-scale to commercial-size cultivation farms. We hypothesize that massive production of spores is related to thalli origin, thalli age and sporulation triggers, and that seedling survival and their subsequent growth potential is determined by the seawater quality and overall indoor growth conditions imposed. A series of bio-reactors were constructed and tested in which spore release and spore growth were separately studied. The main assessment criteria for optimal viability of the seedlings will be by determining their electron transport rate using PAM fluorometry and by subsequent growth and biomass yields in outdoor ponds. Altogether the project showed (1), controlled sporulation is possible in big outdoor/growth chamber settings provided initial stock material (small frozen seedlings) is at hand, (2), contamination problems can be almost completely avoided if stock material is properly handled (clean as possible and partially dehydrated prior to freezing), (3), spore release can significantly be enhance using high nutrient levels during thawing for P. yezoensis and P. haitanensis, but not for P. rosengurttii, (4), PAM fluorometry is an efficient tool to estimate growth capacity in both seedlings and juvenile thalli. The BARD funding also served to explore other aspects of Porphyra biology and cultivation. For example, the taxonomical status of Porphyra strains used in this study was defined (see appendix), and the potential use of this seaweed in bioremediation was well substantiated. In addition, BARD funding supported a number of opportunities and activities in the Israeli lab, direct or indirectly related to the initial objectives of the project such as: additional molecular work in other seaweeds, description of at least 2 new species for the Israeli Mediterranean, and continuous support for the writing of a book on Global Change and applied aspects of seaweeds. The technology for Porphyra cultivation in land-based ponds is readily available. This study corroborated previous know-how of Porphyra growth in tanks and ponds, and yet offers important improvements regarding seedling production and their handling for successful cultivation. This study supported various other activities opening additional important issues in the biology/cultivation/use of Porphyra and other seaweeds.