Global Seaweed Coalition

18/06/2026

🌊 𝐄𝐋 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐃𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐆𝐀𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐒

Las algas marinas (rojas, verdes y pardas) cumplen un papel esencial en la salud de los ecosistemas marinos. Brindan hábitat, sostienen la biodiversidad, favorecen la pesca, contribuyen a la seguridad alimentaria y forman parte del sustento de millones de personas en comunidades costeras alrededor del mundo. 🌱🌎

En este contexto, la iniciativa global 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 busca impulsar acciones urgentes para conservar, restaurar y gestionar de manera sostenible estos ecosistemas hacia el 2030, en el marco de los esfuerzos internacionales frente al cambio climático y la pérdida de biodiversidad.

🎯 Esta iniciativa propone metas ambiciosas: detener la pérdida de hábitats, fortalecer su protección, recuperar áreas degradadas, promover medios de vida resilientes y equitativos, y movilizar financiamiento sostenible para su conservación.

🇵🇪 Nos llena de orgullo destacar que el equipo académico-científico del Vicerrectorado de Investigación - Universidad Científica del Sur participó en este trabajo global, contribuyendo desde el Perú con evidencia, experiencia y compromiso para impulsar la conservación, el uso sostenible y la valoración de las algas marinas como recursos estratégicos para la economía azul y la resiliencia costera.

💡 Estos ecosistemas no solo representan biodiversidad: también simbolizan futuro, alimento, ciencia, innovación y nuevas oportunidades para nuestras comunidades costeras.



Descargar: Juliet Brodie; Ben Jennings; Patrick Sullivan; Elizabeth J, Cottier-Cook et al. (2026). The Seaweed Breakthrough [Data set]. Natural History Museum. https://doi.org/10.5519/acal0m97

18/06/2026

"There is increasing understanding that the provision of (ES) is highly context-specific, depending on both the ecological and social systems from which they are derived. As such, much of the variation described in this meta-analysis results from variability in that context. The ecology, hydrodynamics, benthic environment, and adjacent habitats will all impact the provision of these ES. Similarly, social factors such as farm design, production schedules, processes, and operations play a critical role. For example, standard commercial involves periodic or seasonal harvest periods and the removal of significant biomass, which complicates the measurement of enhancement and limits the sustainability of services like habitat provisioning. Consequently, quantification and conclusions from one study, farm, or geographic location cannot simply be applied to other cases.

This system variation is compounded by methodological variation driven by a lack of standardized methodologies for measuring these ES. Furthermore, there is a lack of clarity regarding the system boundaries within which ES are evaluated. This is a particular problem for climate regulation quantifications, where three different system boundaries were identified: biomass produced, carbon stored in a permanent reservoir, and total carbon balance using an LCA approach (including production and processing inputs). The lack of consistent methodologies prevents valid comparisons between different farming locations. Consequently, there is a critical need for standardized Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification ( ) guidelines. Establishing consistent MRV protocols would increase the comparability of estimates, validate results, and support the requirements of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes or accreditation initiatives such as Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs). Future research should prioritize establishing ES baselines prior to farm construction, or utilizing reference sites to accurately assess net positive or negative impacts"

Swanlund, H., Burrows, M. T., Fedenko, J., O’Dell, A., & Hughes, A. D. (2026). "A Review and Meta-Analysis of the Ecosystem Service Enhancement from : Limited Evidence to Support Climate and Biodiversity Gains". Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, 1–24.

➡️ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23308249.2026.2647211

18/06/2026

05/06/2026

La Coalition des algues était dans "Le goût de la mer", un beau reportage de France Télévisions pour "13h15 le samedi" consacré aux acteurs de la chaîne de valeur des algues en Bretagne et en particulier à : https://youtu.be/-XGwR0CPQAE

A voir en intégralité en replay sur France TV https://www.france.tv/france-2/13h15-le-samedi/8458593-le-gout-de-la-mer.html

05/06/2026

🌊 Seaweeds as a nature-based solution to global iodine deficiency, the recording of our policy workshop organized in partnership with the International Seaweed Association (ISA) is now available for replay on our Channel : https://youtu.be/gM2IlcLMWjc?si=pW4O5pvJHoFzxQAt

The workshop, moderated by our Senior Advisor Nichola Dyer discusses the recommendations of a policy brief synthesizing the findings of three expert Working Groups on Seaweeds and convened by the Global Seaweed Coalition (GSC) and the International Seaweed Association (ISA), bringing together scientists, regulators, industry representatives, and public health experts from over a dozen countries, with seven actionable policy recommendations designed to position seaweed as a safe, standardised, and scalable complementary source of iodine for public health—without replacing salt iodisation.

Keynote speech, by Shakuntala Thilsted, World Food Prize Laureate, Senior Nutrition Expert, CGIAR : https://youtu.be/gM2IlcLMWjc?si=m0lBbiOMbPV4BVFx&t=339

Presentation of the workshops & recommendations, by Mélanie Cueff, Scientific Officer, Global Seaweed Coalition : https://youtu.be/gM2IlcLMWjc?si=0LyNWiLetydC2gUM&t=1124

Discussion, with Anoushka Concepcion (Chair, Strategic Advisory Council, Global Seaweed Coalition), Harrison Charo Karisa (Senior Fisheries Specialist (Aquaculture), World Bank Group/), Asma Lateef (Chief, Policy Advocacy and Impact, SDG2 Advocacy Hub) & Shakuntala Thilsted : https://youtu.be/gM2IlcLMWjc?si=LU23JDH2lsTF_4K_&t=1712

Conclusions and next steps, by Helena Abreu (Past President, Council member, International Seaweed Association/Strategic Advisory Council member, Global Seaweed Coalition/Partnerships Manager, European Algae Biomass Association) : https://youtu.be/gM2IlcLMWjc?si=qCL6xdKR_YQgFogt&t=5699



Station Biologique de Roscoff - CNRS / Sorbonne Université United Nations Global Compact CNRS International Seaweed Symposium

02/06/2026

“Seaweed laundering” in Peru: Regulatory setbacks, gaps in traceability and socio-ecological impacts », an important note by Paul Martin Baltazar Guerrero & Jose Avila-Peltroche in the Journal of Applied Phycology.

" ’s challenge is not the absence of harvesting regulation for commercial brown , but issues with the application of this regulatory framework and the underlying tension between an export-driven macroalgal economy and limited enforcement capacity, leaving a persistent blind spot in the chain of custody. Scientific reports by the Peruvian Sea Institute highlighted ongoing over-exploitation (Castillo et al. 2011; Vásquez et al. 2012). This, combined with an export structure dominated by brown algae and the predominance of beach-cast biomass in legally documented flows, creates fertile ground for “seaweed laundering”: a system where documentary legality masks ecological declines in natural standing stocks. Recent reforms could provide a turning point, if paired with robust enforcement and meaningful sanctions. Without these, they risk becoming yet another bureaucratic layer that fails to disrupt entrenched practices of mixing and evasion.

As research and diverse applications expand in Peru, the message for those working in applied is clear: sustainability is not demonstrated in the final product, nor in institutional discourse, but in the integrity of brown seaweed forests, transparency of resource flows, and verifiable traceability. Without these foundations, the blue economy risks rebranding unsustainable practices as “sustainable seaweed biomass”, despite their ecological footprint. Once degraded, and beds may take long periods to recover, and in some cases may never recover completely."

➡️ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10811-026-03903-y

29/05/2026

NEW PAPER: ¿Qué plagas están afectando al cultivo de pelillo en el sur de Chile? 🦠

Un nuevo estudio liderado por Pedro Murúa e investigadores del Núcleo Milenio MASH del centro i~mar de la Universidad de Los Lagos, sede Puerto Montt, junto a la Universidad Austral de Chile sede Puerto Montt y la Universidad Católica de Temuco, analizó durante más de un año cómo distintas plagas influyen en la producción de Gracilaria chilensis, una de las macroalgas de mayor importancia comercial para la acuicultura chilena.

Los resultados muestran que el pelillo crece mejor durante primavera, cuando la presión de plagas es menor. En verano y otoño, en cambio, aumentan las algas epífitas y organismos incrustantes que pueden cubrir los cultivos y reducir significativamente su biomasa.

🔎 El estudio también identificó qué sistemas de cultivo son más vulnerables y propone medidas concretas para reducir riesgos, mejorar la bioseguridad y fortalecer la sostenibilidad de esta actividad productiva clave para las comunidades costeras del sur de Chile.

👏 Felicitamos a Pedro Murúa, David Patiño, Liliana Muñoz, Carlos Stange, Patricio De los Ríos-Escalante y Carolina Camus por esta importante contribución al conocimiento y desarrollo de la acuicultura de macroalgas.

📖 Lee el paper completo a través de nuestra biografía o en este linkhttps://mileniomash.cl/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Gracilaria-chilensis-farm-setups-are-affected-differentially-by-pest-outbreaks-in-southern-Chile.pdf

28/05/2026

🌊 "Seaweed Strain Selection and Breeding in Marine Aquaculture: Current Regulations and Practices", our last online workshop organized in partnership with the United Nations University is now available for replay on our Youtube Channel in a dedicated playlist : https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRzSj934E5m7dC2O6d804Qlb2OxNIsDA1&si=-YBDzqpbsjbg6piL

How can seaweed strain selection and breeding contribute to climate-resilient and restoration while safeguarding seaweed genetic diversity? What regulatory and governance approaches are suitable to support the responsible development and use of selected or bred seaweed strains?

Check it out !

Presentations :

"Population genetics of kelp in Europe, seaweed selection and breeding: methods and limits", Dr. Bertrand Jacquemin (geneticist, MAARI) : https://youtu.be/a7atXwoxjuI?si=8c8BBsAAFilZjEGn

"Seaweed Aquaculture Industry and Breeding Technologies in China", Dr. Fuli Liu (Ocean University of China) : https://youtu.be/b3E-P49IxXc?si=UV83z4D6isWzcmX5

Seaweed Breeding and Cultivation in Korea, Dr. Eun Kyoung Hwang (Seaweed Research Institute, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Republic of Korea) : https://youtu.be/D4xVnmh0Ftk?si=VgG14oeeq-74g6rv

"Selective breeding, cryopreservation and scale-up of Saccharina Latissima seedstock production", Dr. Zofia Nehr, Station Biologique de Roscoff - CNRS / Sorbonne Université : https://youtu.be/VS7CccC5n2Q?si=KIf4vrFzPlGsvSur

The Blue Bio Boost project, Dr. Åshild Ergon (Norwegian University of Life Sciences) : https://youtu.be/aZI8H05t6vU?si=aRUmOtgyC6FhJgvz

"How Can Kelp Breeding Be Conducted Responsibly?", Dr. Scott Lindell (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) : https://youtu.be/8rtGww11LK0?si=mik6_YR-bpH6QFWg

This workshop forms part of a broader effort to develop a policy brief providing clear, science-based guidelines to support the regulation of seaweed breeding and strain selection for use in marine aquaculture and restoration projects at the national level, with a focus on kelp in temperate waters.

All our webinars & workshops can be accessed here : https://www.safeseaweedcoalition.org/videos/

The Global Seaweed Coalition continues to welcome new members and partnerships as it works toward its vision of a thriving, safe and sustainable seaweed sector that benefits communities, economies and the environment.

Join the Coalition today at no cost & gain exclusive access to our latest insights and featured initiatives, and contribute to the community by sharing seaweed news, research articles, and upcoming events : https://www.safeseaweedcoalition.org/members/

🌊🌊🌊

22/05/2026

🌊 Seaweeds as a nature-based solution to global iodine deficiency, Policy-oriented workshop, June 4, 12PM CET !

Join this policy-oriented workshop to discuss the recommendations of a policy brief synthesizing the findings of three expert Working Groups on Seaweeds and convened by the Global Seaweed Coalition (GSC) and the International Seaweed Association (ISA), bringing together scientists, regulators, industry representatives, and public health experts from over a dozen countries. The policy brief presents seven actionable policy recommendations designed to position seaweed as a safe, standardised, and scalable complementary source of iodine for public health—without replacing salt iodisation.

📅 Date: June 4, 2026
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM CET
📍 Online

Save the date !

More details on our guest speakers and agenda will be shared soon

👉 Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seaweeds-as-a-nature-based-solution-to-global-iodine-deficiency-tickets-1990179276791?aff=oddtdtcreator

18/05/2026

🌊 : Our partners from The SEAFDEC - Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center are recruiting a consultant to develop Principles and Toolkits for Responsible and Safe Seaweed Aquaculture.

The Consultant will lead the drafting and consultation process for SEA Regional Principles for Responsible and Safe Seaweed Aquaculture, including toolkit for applying principles, aligned with the Global Seaweed Coalition. The work will be undertaken under the supervision of the Project Manager /Technical Advisor, with technical inputs from the Project’s Technical Specialist, SEAFDEC/ AQD, and the SEAFDEC Secretariat, as well as guidance from members of the Seaweed Technical Working Group (S-TWG), and before submission to the SEAFDEC Council.

Please see details here : https://bluehorizonseaweed.org/2026/05/consultant-to-develop-principles-toolkits-for-responsible-and-safe-seaweed-aquaculture/

Do not hesitate to spread the offer in your networks !

🌊🌊🌊

The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) is an autonomous intergovernmental body established in 1967. SEAFDEC comprises of 11 Member Countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myamnar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The mission of SEAFDEC is “To promote and facilitate concerted actions among the Member Countries to ensure the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture in Southeast Asia.”