Recent developments in aquaculture of Palmaria palmata (Linnaeus) (Weber & Mohr 1805): cultivation and uses

Abstract

This review summarizes the recent literature on the biology, cultivation techniques and uses of the red seaweed Palmaria palmata ((Linnaeus) Weber & Mohr 1805). The paper covers its distribution, appearance and life cycle, the state of the art cultivation techniques for spore release and seeding, and the culture of meristematic fragments of fronds harvested from natural populations. Furthermore, culture conditions for P. palmata sporelings and gametophytes and set-ups of tank and open sea culture are presented. For tank culture, relatively high irradiance and frequent seawater exchange to supply carbon dioxide and nutrients are the most important parameters. In open sea culture, site selection and system design play an important role. Land-based culture has the advantage that optimum culture conditions can be applied and quality-controlled, whereas nearshore cultivation is less costly and labour intensive. In addition, the bioremediation potential and the use of P. palmata in integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) are discussed. More research is needed to investigate bioremediation potential of different P. palmata strains. Recent developments in uses of P. palmata as food supplement, source of bioactive compounds, animal feed and compound for biofuels are presented. Finally, the possibilities of cultivation of P. palmata enhance the prospects for the expansion of the cultivation of this seaweed. However, future research is needed regarding balance of culture conditions, costs and biomass in land-based tank culture and in terms of site selection, system design, maintenance and harvest techniques in sea cultivation to establish a commercialization of the aquaculture of this species in Europe.