Undaria pinnatifida - seafood lovers may already know it as the green seaweed in their lunchtime sushi. It's also known as a highly invasive and unwanted organism under New Zealand biosecurity laws, but to AUT University seaweed biologist Dr Lindsey White, it is the nectar of the (sea) gods.
White is currently leading a team of researchers exploring the uses for Undaria seaweed and new market opportunities for New Zealand's aquaculture sector, including both its commercial use and health-related benefits of the seaweed.
"There are only a few places in the world where Undaria seaweed is grown, so this could potentially be the next big thing for New Zealand's aquaculture industry," says White.
"As a popular food source in Japan, Korea and China, there's already a $400M market for Undaria seaweed. Undaria is a multi-million dollar industry in Asia and it has the potential to be so here."
With over 850 seaweed species in New Zealand, Undaria was introduced to our waters in the 1980's where it spread rapidly. Until late 2010 Government restrictions meant Undaria couldn't be harvested or farmed in New Zealand due to concerns about the spread of an introduced seaweed and its ecological impact on native plant and animal species. Undaria is still classified as one of the top 100 global invasive species.
The previous moratorium on seaweed harvesting was an obstacle for developing seaweed based industries in New Zealand, says White.
"Undaria is a resource whose time is finally coming. There is potentially tens of thousands of tonnes of Undaria currently going to waste in New Zealand annually, most of it found growing on the lines of commercial mussel farms.
"There is also a potentially growing market in both New Zealand and in Asia because of concerns about the radioactive fallout and the impact on Undaria seaweed farms in Japan."
White says there are increased demands for fresh seaweed in New Zealand because of our growing Asian population, "traditionally, Asian people prefer to buy it fresh but currently this isn't possible as all Undaria here is imported frozen or dry-packed."
AUT, in partnership with Wakatu Corporation - one of New Zealand's largest mussel export companies - are currently researching the commercial and neutraceutical applications of Undaria.
Mark Allsopp, development manager at Wakatu, says the work with Undaria is part of the organisation's commitment to explore new market opportunities for the sector.
"Wakatu was one of the first to be granted a harvesting licence when the moratorium on Undaria was lifted in 2010. A lot of Undaria already grows on our lines so we're interested in using it, rather than it being a pest."
Currently the green-lipped mussel represents New Zealand's largest shellfish industry with over $200M per annum in exports; however White says that ongoing research is essential to increase the competitive edge of New Zealand's aquaculture sector on an international scale.
There are currently seven separate Undaria research projects underway at AUT, ranging from the differences in nutritional chemistry between the New Zealand and Asian strands, to the investigation of Undaria's potential anti-cancer properties.
White says that the compounds fucoidan and fucoxanthin - both found in Undaria - have been proven to have health benefits and there is some evidence they have an effect on cancer lines, however he is keen to stress this line of research is only in its infancy.
In New Zealand there is a healthy local market for seaweed-based products including fertilisers, stock food and produce for human consumption. It is also valued for traditional purposes amongst Maori.
Seaweed is rich in iodine, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, vitamins, amino acids, omega 3 and antioxidants. Research suggests it can boost immune systems, lower cholesterol and relieve joint pain.
"Undaria is such a valuable resource," says White. "My pick is that within the next few years we'll be farming Undaria, not just harvesting it.
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