Our blog: Whats going on!

Marine scientists were deployed to Fleurty’s Point on 1st September 2020 to conduct a visual survey of the primary seaweed growing sites. This included in-water and on-water components. Aspects of the site examined included general site characteristics, hydrology, and a survey of colonising communities.

Divers were deployed at two sites within the lease to examine the biological community colonizing existing infrastructure. In-situ ropes and polythene plastic substrata were examined for colonizing organisms in the top 6m of water, with vertical zonation patterns described. For dominant seaweed species, where field identification was not possible, samples were collected for laboratory-based identification.

Sub tidally; a diverse assemblage of macroalgae was observed colonizing existing infrastructure. Red algal species were dominant in the top 3 m of water, with brown and green macroalgae also present in lesser amounts near the surface. Clear vertical zonation was evident, with algal dominance grading to invertebrate dominance from approximately 3 m to 6 m water depth. A variety of sessile benthic invertebrates were also observed, including mussels, sea squirts, oysters, and sponges.
 

Mobile invertebrates were also observed during the investigation, including high densities of Caprellid shrimps living on algae. The only vertebrate life observed during the survey was a porcupine fish, which was sheltering among algae-covered rope.
 

Algal species were collected and taken back to the laboratory for identification, the results of which are shown in the photo gallery on the home page of the website. Identification of red alga species is complex, with detailed microscopy and DNA analysis often required. Macroalgal experts were consulted to identify species of red algae, however it was determined that species identification was not possible without DNA analysis.
 

The proposed growing site is relative exposed to northerly and north-easterly weather, with low-moderate wave action. It is likely the site has a freshwater influence from surrounding runoff (the main source of which is Dales Creek, which discharges immediately west of the study site) and a subsequent halocline, the depth of which will vary with rainfall.

The presence of Ulva at the site is promising. Ulva is cultivated in large quantities in many other regions of the world for food and bioremediation purposes. This preliminary investigation suggests Ulva sp. may be the most appropriate species for seaweed farming at the Birch’s Bay lease site.
 

Whilst we were waiting for the report from the scientists, company founders Prue and Adam went to the lease and put 900m of sisal rope in the water. This has been deployed in order to familiarise ourselves with the practicalities of deployment, as well as providing more opportunities for seaweed to colonise the site.
 

We will be returning after 1 Oct to deploy three control strings with associated light monitoring meters in place-its these strings that we will be using to measure how much carbon we are capturing.

We have been given a methodology by the Marine Solutions team and are looking forward to watching our babies grow!

We have been given a methodology by the Marine Solutions team and are looking forward to watching our babies grow!

We will soon be seeking investment to scale our operations. 

Our main lease cluster will allow our conservative test results to be fully realised. It will be supported by a state of the art hatchery, as well as the infrastructure to process the seaweed we grow. 

Specialised vessels will be used to deploy lease equipment and monitor and harvest. 

We are investigating a number of long-term sequestration methods and will be partnering with specialists in these areas to do so. 

The site is close to Hobart and easily accessible - it will allow us to address the many practical challenges we face and will eventually become our education and test site. It will be open to the public so people can see how we do what we do, and how we are doing something real to combat climate change. 

We would love to have you come along for the journey – stay tuned!