Exploring, harnessing and conserving marine genetic resources towards a sustainable seaweed aquaculture

Societal Impact Statement Seaweed cultivation is the fastest-growing aquaculture sector, with a demonstrable potential to drive development in some of the poorest coastal populations worldwide. However, sustainable exploitation, fair access and equitable benefits from marine genetic resources, such as seaweeds have yet to be fully realised. Patchy fundamental knowledge on the genetic diversity and metabolic potential of algae limits their exploitation; scant practical skills and low investment in breeding restricts germplasm availability and the Nagoya protocol has only partially remediated insufficient governance. Further developments and the addressing of knowledge gaps in relation to biosecurity, breeders' rights and conservation of genetic resources are needed for progress. We review how seaweed genetic resources are currently used in aquaculture, in relation to the diversification and rapidly increasing use of marine resources. Using a revealing case-study, we summarise the potential for positive societal change, underpinned by the cultivation of eucheumatoid carrageenophytes (species of the red algal genera Eucheuma and Kappaphycus), an activity which has been successfully initiated in many tropical countries to support their economic development. We also review the challenges currently faced by this industry and identify potential threats to the seaweed cultivation sector. Accordingly, we suggest new directions to support the continued development of an economically resilient and environmentally sustainable industry based on the utilisation of genetic resources.