Thanks — Macroalgen production in the North Sea: Laminaria digitata

The cultivation of macroalgae at sea can make an important contribution to the production of proteins as a source of food, as a supplier of fats as a raw material for biofuel and of raw materials for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, the production of macroalgae can contribute to CO2 fixation and to water purification where, among other things, part of the phosphates washed to sea can be re-absorbed and used. The economic feasibility of offshore macroalgae cultures depends on the potential production, yield and production costs. Production depends, among other things, on availability of nutrients, light climate and hydrodynamic conditions. These are not uniformly distributed across the Dutch Continental Plate (NCP). The production costs are linked, among other things, to distance from the coast and the costs of the construction and maintenance of the breeding facilities. These are also different per area. The map shows the result of a first exploration of the possible maximum biomass production of two types of macroalgae for 8 sites. Offshore installations are already present at the chosen locations or are planned here and potentially a combination with macro algae cultivation is possible.