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MABIT

January 24, 2025

The MABIT Project: Tackling Biofouling in Kelp Cultivation

This week we initiated the MABIT project with the successful collection of the first samples of wild Saccharina latissima (sugar kelp), which will be used for RNA analysis and as base for cultivation. As the polar nights approach, we were fortunate to seize the opportunity provided by this week’s clear and beautiful weather to conduct our fieldwork.

The MABIT Project

At Kelpinor, we are committed to advancing the sustainable cultivation of kelp by addressing one of the industry's biggest challenges— biofouling. In collaboration with Nord Universitet and Polaralge, the MABIT Project aims to improve the resilience of cultivated kelp while unlocking its full growth potential.

What is Biofouling, and Why Does it Matter?

Biofouling occurs when marine organisms, such as bryozoans (also called moss animals), attach to the blades of cultivated kelp. These organisms make the kelp blades more fragile and prone to decomposition, limit the growth by competing for nutrients and light, and reduce the kelp’s commercial value. The decomposition process accelerates later in the season due to various factors, among them rising water temperatures, making biofouling particularly problematic during the warmer summer months.

For example:

  • Between June and August, seaweed biomass can nearly double each month due to rapid growth.
  • However, this exponential growth cannot currently be utilized effectively because of bryozoan-induced decomposition, which affects 30-70% of the biomass harvested in July.
  • This limits the harvest season to early summer, leaving untapped potential for increasing yields later in the season.

The ability to harvest later into the summer would allow farmers to capitalize on the natural growth surge during these months, significantly boosting production without requiring additional resources or farming space.

Our Project Goals

This MABIT-funded project aims to unlock the growth potential of cultivated kelp by addressing the challenges of biofouling. Specifically, we are working to:

  1. Prolong the Growing Season: By uncovering natural resistance mechanisms in kelp, we aim to extend the growth period of kelp cultivations, thereby increasing the harvesting yields.
  2. Quantifying Heritability and Enhancing Kelp Resilience: By studying the genetic and environmental factors influencing fouling resistance, we aim to better understand how to breed and propagate resistant strains effectively.

How Are We Achieving This?

Our approach combines advanced research methods with practical farming techniques. Here is how we aim to tackle the challenge:

  • Selection of Seedstock: Collection of wild kelp exhibiting no, low, and high levels of biofouling as baseline for the seedling production as three different cultures, and for RNA samples. 
  • Monoclonal Gametophyte Cultures: Our team attended a workshop at the Alfred Wegener Institute to learn how to develop monoclonal gametophyte cultures. This innovative method enables precise propagation of kelp strains with desirable traits.
  • Early and Late Deployment: We will deploy sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) sporophytes, based on the ones we collected, in November (early) and February (late) to compare growth, fouling resistance, and yield as a result of different deployment times.

Collaboration and Credibility

This project reflects our commitment to conducting thorough, science-based research in collaboration with leading institutions and industry partners. Working alongside Nord Universitet and Polaralge, we are combining academic expertise with practical experience to develop solutions that are both innovative and grounded in real-world applications.

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