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Map of the Week – Algae production facilities

News article |
The Map of the Week shows the macroalgae and microalgae producing facilities by production methods. For macroalgae, this includes harvest and aquaculture. For microalgae, this includes photobioreactors, open ponds, fermenters, photobioreactors and open ponds, photobioreactors and fermenters.

The 2022 edition of the EU blue bioeconomy report, prepared by the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA) was released earlier this month. The Blue bioeconomy incorporates any economic activity associated with the use of renewable aquatic biological resources to make products. Examples of these wide-ranging products include novel foods and food additives, animal feeds, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, materials (e.g. clothes and construction materials) and energy. The report offers an overview of latest developments of micro- and macroalgae cultivation systems in the European Union (EU) and the world. [1]  

The Blue Economy Report 2022 stated that the most notable sub-sector in Blue bioeconomy is the algae sector. It also pointed out that the new approach for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the EU adopted in May 2021, among others, emphasises a major opportunity for developing new algae-based food and feed products in the EU market to alleviate environmental pressures exerted by agriculture, aquaculture, and fisheries. [2] Marine and aquatic research and innovation is essential to explore the best ways for the ocean to continue to be a healthy and productive life support system. The EU's bioeconomy strategy highlights how this can be done.[3]

The Map of the Week shows the macroalgae and microalgae producing facilities by production methods. For macroalgae, this includes harvest and aquaculture. For microalgae, this includes photobioreactors, open ponds, fermenters, photobioreactors and open ponds, photobioreactors and fermenters. As explained in the description of the map layer on microalgae production facilities, microalgae are microscopic plants, typically found in freshwater and marine systems, living in both the water column and sediment. Sustainable harvesting, cultivating, or processing of algae to create high-value products can make an invaluable contribution to a cleaner and healthier environment. Therefore, the production of algae is an important part of the “blue bioeconomy”.

Wish to know more?

  • Explore the Map of the Week to learn more about algae production facilities.
  • Read the new report on the EU Blue Bioeconomy.

 

Access the map

 

The data in the map are provided by EMODnet.

[1] https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-blue-bioeconomy-report-out-2023-01-13_en

[2] https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/156eecbd-d7eb-11ec-a95f-01aa75ed71a1

[3] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/environment/bioeconomy/bioeconomy-strategy_en