This report reviews the main biosecurity threats to Australia’s emerging seaweed industry and outlines practical solutions. It explains how pests, pathogens and invasive species spread via water, gear and seed stock, impacting crop health and marine ecosystems. A proposed action plan highlights surveillance, quarantine and understanding genetics to ensure sustainable expansion.
Publisher: Agrifutures
Asparagopsis is still very much a nascent industry, with a lack of accessible knowledge and expertise resulting in significant delays to market. A National Hatchery Network has been identified as having the potential to fast-track production and support current and emerging growers. Current state of knowledge was assessed against the major supply chain elements; wild population assessment, hatchery, cultivation, processing/manufacture of products and product and market development.
Publisher: Margaret Rule and Jo Kelly funded by FRDC
This report focuses on creating a comprehensive food safety program tailored for the Australian seaweed industry, emphasizing products for human consumption. The report identifies potential hazards such as iodine, arsenic, pathogens, and physical contaminants. It provides HACCP-based food safety management strategies for wild-collected and land-grown seaweed and highlights inconsistencies in regulations. The project aims to guide industry stakeholders and regulators in ensuring safe seaweed production, promoting growth while adhering to global standards.
Publisher: AgriFutures Australia
Author: Clare Winkel
Year: 2023
The Australian Seaweed Industry Blueprint Implementation Plan outlines key steps to accelerate the growth of Australia’s seaweed industry, aiming for a $100M Gross Value of Production by 2025. It emphasizes industry leadership, scaling production, and fostering innovation. A central initiative is the National Hatchery Network, designed to address knowledge gaps in seaweed cultivation and streamline production through a hub-and-spoke model. This plan seeks to overcome regulatory and technical barriers, attract investment, and build sustainable infrastructure for long-term industry growth.
Publisher: AgriFutures Australia
Author: Jo Kelly
Year: 2023
This report emphasises the significant role of governance in shaping Australia’s seaweed aquaculture industry.
Publisher: Agrifutures Australia
Author: Jo Kelly & Katrina McLeod
Year: 2023
The Operational Guide for the Commercial Dive, Shellfish, and Undaria Fisheries (2024–25) provides regulatory and practical guidance for commercial fishers operating in Tasmania’s multi-species hand-collection fisheries. It covers commercial diving for sea urchins, periwinkles, native oysters, Pacific oysters, Venus clams, and the invasive Undaria pinnatifida seaweed. The document outlines licence types, catch limits, geographic zones, and environmental conditions including marine park exclusions and biotoxin closures. It also details reporting protocols, equipment standards, fish processing rules, and the use of assistants and caufs. Notably, the guide includes strict biosecurity and unloading requirements for Undaria, a declared pest, and explains industry support mechanisms like the Centrostephanus Subsidy and ShellMAP testing for shellfish safety.
Publisher: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
Author: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
This document is a guide for those operating in the beach-cast Marine Plant Fishery with a fishing licence class ‘marine plant’
Publisher: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
Author: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
The rules that apply in each fishery are set out in management plans, the overall objective being sustainable and orderly use of Tasmania’s marine resources.
Publisher: Tasmanian Government Department of Primary Industries Parks Water & Environment
Author: Tasmanian Government Department of Primary Industries Parks Water & Environment
Year: 2017
The information provided on this portal is for general informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Users are advised to conduct their own research and consult appropriate professionals before making decisions based on this information.
Seaweed Central is supported by funding from the FRDC on behalf of the Australian Government’s Developing Australia’s Seaweed Farming Grant Program.