Projects SafeNCweed & southPACIWEED

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safeNCweed

SafeNCweed aims to assess the potential of macroalgae as a new "blue resource" and nature-based solution for New Caledonia and the Pacific.

The marine macro-algae industry is booming worldwide and projects are emerging in many Pacific countries. The project proposes to :

 1) identify and select New Caledonian seaweed species of interest for economic valorisation and/or environmental remediation; 2) measure the possible presence of contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, etc.) and the nutritional value of the potential species; 3) analyse the different valorisation pathways based on these results; 4) provide recommendations for the development of seaweed production and/or nature-based solutions in New Caledonia.

To achieve these objectives, we will rely on international scientific knowledge and regional expertise (Australia & French Polynesia).

The project will contribute to the following priority themes Food security, fight against climate change and environmental protection, economy, gender equality.

southPACIWEED

SouthPACIWEED aims to assess the health risks associated with the consumption of macroalgae in the South Pacific and to make recommendations for sustainable and locally appropriate uses

SouthPACIWEED is a South Pacific Marine Macroalgae Working Group whose aim is to address the safety issues and lack of standards that may hinder the development and diversification of the marine macoalgae industry in the region. The objectives are to i) review existing regulations and identify gaps, ii) assess the risks associated with macroalgae consumption in the region and produce new data to provide a regional baseline (heavy metals, pollutants, iodine), and iii) produce recommendations for common standards and value-added opportunities. The results will be discussed and disseminated regionally, and the possibility of launching a larger regional network or alliance will be discussed during a workshop involving all interested South Pacific States.

The project will explore the valorisation opportunities of macroalgal species present in different South Pacific islands (NC, PF, WF) and analyse their content in heavy metals, pollutants and iodine in order to provide recommendations on sustainable uses and local exploitation potential. The results will be compared with those of other South Pacific countries and islands and safety standards will be proposed by the working group. The project will produce species sheets for field identification, as well as recommendations for harvesting and use.