Seaweed biology and aquaculture, Integrated aquaculture systems

The culture of aquatic plants represents the second largest species group in world aquaculture production (more than molluscs and crustaceans). An understanding of seaweed biology, their cultivation in aquaculture environments and their interactions with herbivores is integral to industry expansion. For example, a recent focus on integrated (plant-animal) aquaculture promises to deliver cost-effective and robust forms of seaweed bioremediation to the diverse types of aquaculture in tropical Australia, adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. This research also aims to identify seaweed products that will value-add to current aquaculture operations.