DULSEinnov

Dulse (Palmaria palmata) is a premium edible seaweed. The growing demand for this species necessitates a significant step towards finding an economically viable alternative to harvesting. Over 20 years of cultivation trials have identified seeding and vegetative propagation methods adapted to the specific biology of this red alga, but these have not yet been commercially developed. The implementation of an industrial pilot project will allow for testing the viability of these methods and their improvement. In parallel, work will be carried out to identify and select local strains adapted to land-based and open sea cultivation systems in collaboration with specialists in seaweed processing. The project therefore aims to (i) establish a selection and crossbreeding program for strains adapted to growth on land and at sea, and (ii) launch an industrial pilot project to validate and improve dulse cultivation methods. 

Aurélien Baud has been recruited as a Research Engineer on this project, which is being carried out in partnership with the abalone and seaweed farm of France-Haliotis based in Lilia-Plouguerneau and funded by the EMFAF Innovation in Aquaculture