New UKRI-funded research project will develop climate-resilient seaweed in south-east Asia - Natural History Museum

New UKRI-funded research project will develop climate-resilient seaweed in south-east Asia

The Natural History Museum announces a new research project to tackle major environmental challenges.

GLOBALSEAWEED-Protect will support the south-east Asia seaweed industry, which is both economically and environmentally critical.

Natural History Museum Executive Director of Science Tim Littlewood says: “This project is a great example of Museum scientists working with local and indigenous communities and researchers to find solutions to some of the biggest challenges we face such as the impacts on climate change on a globally vital crop in Southeast Asia.”

GLOBALSEAWEED-PROTECT

Seaweed farming in southeast Asia is increasingly impacted by pests and diseases whilst the wild seaweed populations that could provide new disease-resilient stock are suffering the effects of climate change.

Seaweed is the fastest growing aquaculture sector, currently making up half of marine production globally. The red seaweeds Kappaphycus and Eucheuma species, collectively known as the eucheumatoids, produce carrageenan, a chemical compound which can be used as an ingredient across a wide range of key products including food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics in an industry worth $14 billion. Over 1 million livelihoods are supported by the seaweed industry in Southeast Asia – the largest producer of red seaweed – particularly across Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. Seaweed production is threatened in this region by a lack of genetic diversity in the cultivars, increasing the seaweeds’ vulnerability to pests and diseases., At the same time, climate change is having a devastating impact on wild seaweed habitats on which the industry depends for sourcing new cultivars.