Short Presentation (6 minutes) Australian Marine Sciences Association 2025 Conference

Modelling the Bioremediation Potential of Seaweed Aquaculture in Australian Coastal Waters (119534)

Tormey E Reimer 1 2 , Katie A Cresswell 2 , Scott A Hadley 2 , Camille A White 2 , Kate M Fraser 2
  1. Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
  2. Institute of Marine and Antarctic Sciences, Taroona, TAS, Australia

Seaweed aquaculture can be a powerful tool for an ecosystem-based approach to nutrient bioremediation. In Australia, where essential nutrients (particularly nitrogen) are naturally low, anthropogenic nutrient inputs can have discernible impacts on the environment. There is currently a large amount of interest in how seaweed aquaculture can mitigate environmental impacts; however, there is currently no large-scale framework guiding the use of seaweed aquaculture for bioremediative purposes in Australia. Few globally farmed seaweed species are native to Australia, and existing culture operations are small-scale and not focused on bioremediation. Modelling approaches can help bridge this gap and provide an adaptable tool for bioremediation assessment and marine spatial planning. This project adapted and parameterised an existing nitrogen-based seaweed growth model for several Australian native species, including species of commercial interest such as Asparagopsis spp. Large-scale environmental were used to model seaweed growth and nitrogen removal potential in coastal waters around Australia, and specific scenarios identified the most suitable conditions for each species. The results of this project can be used by managers, growers and other stakeholders to assess the suitability of sites for growth and bioremediation, and the model itself is freely available for future use and extensions.