Green Pulse Podcast

Seaweed rising: Can it fuel Asia’s blue economy?

Seaweed: Asia's rising ocean crop. Simon Davis explains why.

ST GRAPHIC: HADYU RAHIM

David Fogarty

and

Audrey Tan

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Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

As discussions on the blue economy pick up, one particular area has garnered plenty of attention: Seaweed.

Environmental groups have pointed to the environmental benefits of restorative seaweed aquaculture, while investor interest in the crop has also grown. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN has also noted that seaweed production can generate socio-economic benefits to coastal communities.

But given the world’s long history of seaweed aquaculture, why has this crop suddenly gained so much attention? And what promise does this emerging area have for South-east Asia and its coastal communities? Host Audrey Tan chats with Mr Simon Davis, founder of seaweed biotechnology company Seadling, on this issue.

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

1:52 What accounts for the resurgence of interest in seaweed?

3:50 What are the environmental benefits of farming seaweed?

7:32 What is the global distribution of seaweed farms like?

9:50 What is Seadling farming seaweed for?

16:00 What are the challenges to scaling up seaweed farming?

19:48 How is Seadling working with farming communities to upskill them?

23:38 Are there negative environmental impacts of seaweed farms?

Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn:

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Read her articles:

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