Seaweed Survey Progress

Earlier this year, Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab team commenced work on a seaweed survey to help inform the viability assessment and potential development of a commercial seaweed farming industry in Gippsland. 

To date, multiple seaweed surveys have been conducted, sampling sites across Western Port Bay, Corner Inlet and the Gippsland Lakes.

Field data is being processed and analysed in preparation for collation with existing seaweed data. Water quality data has also been collected at the surveyed sites, analysing depth, wave exposure, water temperature, salinity,  and rainfall, comparing data to a range of data repositories. Once analysed, these data will help to understand the environmental tolerances of seaweed species across Gippsland and inform what areas may be conducive to commercial seaweed cultivation.

Food & Fibre Gippsland's Elena Nauta spent a day out on the uni’s work boat "Lady Bay" with the Deakin crew on the beautiful Gippsland lakes near Paynesville, collecting seaweed data and analysing environmental conditions. 

Deakin project lead Dr Paul Carnell, Elena and the team also spoke with Peter Somerville from ABC Gippsland recently about the promising results the research has found thus far. Check out the interview here: https://ab.co/38qXrnI

The final results from this survey work are expected late June/early July.

Individual and community interest in this project and work has been positive and encouraging. As results and findings emerge from the research, we'll keep you posted with further updates.

If you know anyone within your network who'd like to connect with us or hear more about the project, please don't hesitate to reach out to Elena via email anytime - elena.nauta@foodandfibregippsland.com.au  

This project is part of the Gippsland Smart Specialisation Strategy(GS3), with Food & Fibre Gippsland delivering GS3 food and fibre stream, in partnership with the Latrobe Valley Authority.