26 Modernisation
Seaweed farming: a production of the future
Ar bezhinerezh : ur gounezerezh evit an dazont
Seaweed farming requires neither fresh water nor fertiliser and appears to be a promising activity. Already today, 97% of the seaweed harvested in the world comes from seaweed farming, mainly in Asia.
While in France seaweed farming is still emerging, in Brittany several companies — such as France Haliotis, Algolesko, West Algues and C-Weed Aquaculture — are already cultivating sea lettuce, dulse, kombu or wakame at sea. This practice appears to be a key issue for the future of the Breton seaweed sector. But to achieve this, it is necessary to acquire specific know-how, find available spaces — at sea or on land — and work alongside the other users of the coast: fishers, oyster farmers, boaters, tourists…
Will the seaweed harvester of tomorrow be a farmer of the sea?