IMPORTANCE OF MACROALGAE IN AQUACULTURE

1) Climate change mitigation

It is an established fact that climate change caused by human-induced concentrations of greenhouse

gases (GHG), especially CO emissions, are increasing in the earth’s atmosphere and is one of the
2
greatest challenges the world is currently facing. Algae play significant roles in normal functioning of
the atmospheric environment and are important candidates for climate change mitigation. Macroalgae
(over 20 commercial seaweed species) are the second most cultured species of aquatic organisms after
finfish. Ulva spp are grown on a large scale in paddle wheel ponds and is currently South Africa’s
largest aquaculture product. Its growth rate, ease of harvesting, resistance to contamination by other
algal species and minimal production loss make it preferable to microalgae and to other macroalgae for
large scale renewable energy production and CO2 capturing systems. Of all macroalgae, Ulva spp are
exciting prospects in terms of energy efficiency. Findings have further revealed that biotransformation
of Ulva to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is viable. Large scale aquaculture production of Ulva spp is
occurring in South Africa and biotransformation to LPG is possible and economically feasible with
additional benefits from farming activities including bioremediation, ocean de-acidification, mineral-
rich plant stimulants, and the capturing of atmospheric and dissolved CO 2 during growth to assist in
climate change mitigation.
Macroalgae or seaweeds, undergo CO2 fixation to attain a high biomass production, and may assist in
sequestering atmospheric sources of CO2. Of all macroalgae in South Africa, the algae Ulva spp are
one of the most promising prospects from an energy point of view.
Ulva spp are grown on a large scale, and are currently South Africa’s largest aquaculture
product. Currently over 92 % of the world’s macroalgae production comes from aquaculture species.
Researchers performed a SWOT analysis of the seaweed cultivation industry and stated that Ulva
product diversification is needed to increase its potential in South Africa [9]. The objective of this work
was to investigate the potential for large scale anaerobic digestion of Ulva spp to produce methane gas
from a readily available aquaculture product. If the large scale production of biomethane proved
environmentally and economically feasible and sustainable, it could serve as an alternative to the
dwindling oil supply and help mitigate global CO2 emissions. The fact that fossil fuel prices are
increasing and that macroalgae production costs will inevitably fall as algal production expands, make
large scale macroalgae cultivation financially feasible. Unlike the first generation biofuels, macroalgae
have additional advantages that make them environmentally sustainable. The high oxygen (by-product
of photosynthesis) amounts dissolved in the paddle ponds enable the water to be reused for integrated
polyculture with aquatic animals. Utilizing cultivated seaweed as a sustainable and renewable
feedstock for biogas production would be a great advantage for South Africa and could potentially lead
the way in renewable energy development. Additional benefits from such projects might include:
capturing industrially emitted CO2 to use for enhanced seaweed growth to mitigate climate change,
decreasing ocean acidification through carbon sequestration, as well as uptake of excess nutrients from
industrial and agricultural effluent discharges; and reducing coastal eutrophication. All these practices
ultimate support change towards more environmentally sound practices.

2) Naturally filter aquarium water (reduce phosphate and nitrogenous waste)

3) Macroalgae can also be kept in the main aquarium, providing valuable hiding places along with a
natural food source for many fish and invertebrates.

Macroalgae such as Halimeda, Caulerpa, and other large celled algaes are valuable additions to a saltwater
aquarium. Algaes and all photosynthetic creatures serve two important roles in the ecosystem of the oceans and
aquariums. Light provides the energy for plants (and zooxanthellae) to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and
sugars, making it a great food source for tangs, angels, and other herbivorous animals. Secondly, macroalgae
reduce the available levels of phosphates and nitrites/nitrates, to provide an excellent form of natural filtration.
Algae Filters

The use of "algae filters" has become popular in recent years, in part, because it is a natural approach to filtering
water. The construction of such a fitter involves simply growing macroalgae in a sump area below the aquarium
or in a side mounted refugium. An established refugium can aid in the removal of pollutants in the display
aquarium, so that undesirable species of algae will not grow. Many aquarists use this area not only to grow
macroalgae, but also to contain live sand and raise mysid shrimp that are found in live rock. These small
crustaceans are used to feed delicate fish such as Anthias sp. and different species of Dragonets. For best results,
lighting should be provided for an extended period of time (18 to 24 hours per day). The reason for the extended
photoperiod is to reduce undesirable fluctuations in pH. During the dark periods, plants use oxygen and release
carbon dioxide. This can result in a decline in pH, and proper buffering agents need to be employed. Excessive
growth should be pruned and removed as required. Macroalgae can also be kept in the main aquarium, providing
valuable hiding places along with a natural food source for many fish and invertebrates.

Types of Macroalgae

The wide varitey of shapes and colors of macroalgae available are a benefit to those trying to find the perfect
type when aquascaping or decorating their aquarium.

The Hawaiian Halimeda plant usually comes as a spherical clump about the size of a baseball. This species is
grown in the pristine waters of the Hawaiian Islands, and is much larger and fuller than specimens available
from the Atlantic or Caribbean. It distinguishes itself from other plants by using calcium to build a support
structure within its blades. Algae grazers still enjoy nipping at the plant but usually will not eat the algae, giving
the plant an extended life span when housed with herbivores. Halimeda is one of the hardier and slower growing
of the macroalgae.

Caulerpa is one of the more common macroalgae in the saltwater hobby. This macroalgae is a favorite snack of
herbivores such as tangs and angelfish. The growth of this plant aids in water quality as well as filling empty
areas of the aquascape. Caulerpa can be found in various shapes from flat blades, feather blades, notch leaf, and
even a grape variety. In the wild, the notch leaf variety C. taxifolia has become a nuisance in the last few years.
In both California, and parts of Europe, this invasive species of algae has become a major problem with
overpopulation of intercostal areas. Caulerpa is usually collected off the many islands of Indonesia, and comes
attached to a small piece of live rock.

4) Main feeds of abalone in aquaculture

An investigation into seaweed as a food source for the South African abalone (Haliotis midae L.) has led to an
increased knowledge of its fisheries and aquaculture conditions. Macroalgae aquaculture in South Africa started
as an off shoot of the abalone (Haliotis midae L) farming industry [27]. Since its inception in the 1990s, abalone
aquaculture in South Africa has developed rapidly and the country is currently the second largest producer
outside Asia [28] [27]. This rapid development was partly achieved due to demand being driven by the decline
of South African abalone fisheries due to poaching. By 2006 several South African seaweed concession areas
had harvested up to 99 % of their MSY [27]. This lead the industry to explore alternative abalone feed. Kelps
have been utilized mostly for human consumption, but recently it’s been increasingly utilized as abalone feed
thanks to relatively low production cost (Hwang et al. 2013). For example, over 60% of the total production of
Saccharina and Undaria in the Republic of Korea was used in the abalone industry in 2012. As seaweeds are
thenatural diet of abalone and other commercially importantseafood products such as sea urchin.