Blue economy
Tunley Environmental has teamed up with Algapelago to combat climate change by harnessing the power of regenerative aquaculture off the coast of England.04/02/2025Words by
Nane SteinhoffMain photograph by
Stefan Andrews/Ocean Image BankGraphic by
Arctic Seaweed Platform – Image adapted by Tunley Environmental’Share04/02/2025Off the coast of England, a new collaborative project seeks to advance sustainable marine practices, with a particular emphasis on the potential of seaweed and kelp farming to address climate change and support nutrient cycling.Seaweed and kelp farming has a very low carbon footprint as it doesn’t need land or freshwater, pesticides or fertilisers. As the fast-growing plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, they can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while having little impact on the environment. Despite its many benefits, the industry is still relatively new to the UK and while its seaweed industry is growing, efforts to increase cultivation are currently underway.One of these efforts is a new exciting collaboration between Tunley Environmental and Algapelago, a pioneering company in marine natural capital and regenerative aquaculture.Founded by ocean adventurer Olly Hicks in 2021, alongside a team of passionate marine scientists, Algapelago was created to transform ocean farming into a scalable, impactful solution for environmental preservation. The company’s innovative Blue Forest project seeks to address the emerging need for sustainable, large-scale aquaculture systems that contribute to the restoration of marine ecosystems.The Blue Forest project will see the deployment of an innovative modular cultivation rig developed by Arctic Seaweed off the coast of North Devon in June 2025. This rig will produce up to 40 tonnes of kelp annually and is designed for offshore scalability.The project’s integration of blue mussels alongside sugar kelp offers a unique opportunity to explore the synergy between these species in supporting marine ecosystems and enhancing carbon sequestration. It also aims to assess the natural capital value of regenerative ocean farming and explore its long-term potential for creating resilient marine environments.Tunley’s Marine Biodiversity Specialist, Dr Nora von Xylander, who is working closely on the project, said: “This partnership with Algapelago marks an exciting milestone in the intersection of marine conservation and regenerative aquaculture. I’m looking forward to further exploring this project with the team at Algapelago. Through this partnership, we’re advancing the science behind blue carbon solutions and natural systems that can help make a difference in the fight against climate change.”Kerr Jeferies, Market Development Manager for Algapelago said: “We are excited to partner with Tunley Environmental and work with them to accelerate the development of the Blue Forest program. Their expertise will be invaluable as w
