Thanks-Macroalgen production in the North Sea: Saccharina latissima

The map shows the potential biomass production by macroalgae on the Dutch Continental Plate (NCP). The maximum yield of a site depends on the algae species based on different growth indicators. The map gives the result of an initial exploration of the possible maximum biomass production of two types of macroalgae for 8 sites. The locations are locations where offshore installations are already present or are planned and which may be combined with algae cultivation. The cultivation of macroalgae at sea can make an important contribution to the production of proteins as a source of food, of fats as a raw material for biofuel and a raw material for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, the production of macroalgae can contribute to CO2 fixation and to water purification where, among other things, part of the phosphates washed to sea can be re-absorbed and used. The economic feasibility of offshore macro-algae cultures depends on the potential production, yield and production costs. Production depends, among other things, on availability of nutrients, light climate and hydrodynamic conditions. These are not uniformly distributed across the NCP. The production costs are linked, among other things, to distance from the coast and the costs of construction and maintenance of breeding facilities. These are also different per area.