02/10/2024
First batch of "Sea Forests" planted in the Sea of Japan!
This week, as part of the KELP FARMS project, the first 12 frames with sprouted seedlings of Undaria seaweed were installed in the Sea of Japan. A harvest of about 35 tons of seaweed is expected around the end of May 2025, which will be sent for processing.
"Negotiations are currently underway regarding the use of Undaria grown during the project for biofuel production. There is a demand for this, for example, in the aviation industry. Such use will allow for a double environmental effect. Firstly, before harvesting, the seaweed will be able to absorb about 180 tons of CO2. Secondly, algae-based biofuel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere by up to 30-50% during the operation of air transport and reduce the need for traditional fuel use. At the moment, biofuel is already actively used in Europe and the USA, and the day is near when this will become common practice," said Olga Lakustova, creator of KELP FARMS project.
KELP FARMS project involves planting Undaria seaweed in three locations in the Far East. The Sea of Japan was the first. In the other two, planting will be completed by October 5th of this year. In total, about 80 tons of harvest will be obtained by the summer of 2025.
"We plan to expand the planting area after collecting the first harvest. KELP FARMS project is economically sustainable, which allows us to plan for its scaling. Moreover, we are always open to partnerships. Also, in the spring of this year, a batch of Cystoseira seaweed will be planted in the Black Sea," added Olga Lakustova.
The sporing process is currently underway. Special frames with Cystoseira spores are submerged in the sea. In mid-October, they will be delivered to the laboratory, and in March 2025, they will be planted on "plantations" in the Black Sea.