A project assessing the best cultivation methods for growing seaweed to feed to egg laying hens is among four innovative projects being supported by the UK’s Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL).
This is the first aquaculture-related seed funding initiative from CIEL which aims to help accelerate innovation, research and development in the sector with a focus on two themes: life cycle assessment (LCA) of aquatic species and using seaweeds to create a link between aquatic and terrestrial food production.
The projects in receipt of support include a seaweed protein biomass cultivation system project run by seaweed start-up company Seaweed Generation Ltd. This will explore different cultivation methods for different species of seaweed, while also assessing the palatability for feeding the seaweed to egg laying hens.
Other projects in receipt of funding include a study assessing the greenhouse gas emissions from pangasius production in Vietnam. Another project will focus on the life cycle analysis of UK-grown warmwater prawns.
The final project is focused on enhancing the LCA of cleaner fish as a sustainable tool for sea lice management, with improvements that could have positive impacts on the salmon industry in Scotland.
“CIEL works collaboratively across the agri-food sector, encouraging knowledge exchange while utilising the academic expertise that underpins the centre’s network. Bringing agri-food and aquaculture together is one of the main goals of this work,” CIEL’s aquaculture specialist Martin Sutcliffe said.
“These are ‘seed’ projects designed to be developed further in the future, helping to drive the industry forward.”
CIEL Chief Executive Lyndsay Chapman said she is excited to be able to leverage CIEL resource to support these research projects.
“From exploring the viability of high protein seaweeds in a cost-effective way, to assessing the effect of functional feed ingredients on salmon performance – these innovative projects cover areas identified as critical to help drive a sustainable and productive future for the sector.
“Agriculture and aquaculture face many similar challenges that require world-leading science-based solutions and innovative technologies & systems. This must be embraced if we are to capitalise on the opportunities that lay ahead.”
The four projects will be completed in 2023.
CIEL is one of the UK’s four Agri-Tech Centres, established as a key pillar of the government’s Agri-Tech Strategy. It works in partnership with many of the UK’s leading livestock research institutions and a network of industry members spanning the entire food supply chain – from pre-farmgate to retail.
Over the past five years, CIEL, through support from Innovate UK and in collaboration with research partners, has invested £70 million in UK livestock research facilities.
