Argyll and Bute MSP (Member of the Scottish Parliament) Jenni Minto heard how science in her constituency has been benefiting developing nations through seaweed research, during a visit to the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban.

The MSP met with Prof. Elizabeth Cottier-Cook, who heads up the GlobalSeaweed SUPERSTAR programme, and post-doctoral researcher Dr Shaun Beattie. Their project seeks to support seaweed farmers in developing nations by creating the scientific knowledge on how best to protect wild seaweed populations.

The global seaweed farming industry is estimated to be worth more that $18 billion and supports six million farmers, with the vast majority of this activity in developing nations, mainly in south-east Asia. However, many of the species on which the farmers rely are under threat from over-harvesting, pest and disease outbreaks and climate change.

Next year, at COP31, GlobalSeaweed SUPERSTAR will unveil its Seaweed Breakthrough, a series of policy recommendations aimed at halting the loss of seaweed species and ensuring the global seaweed industry remains sustainable.

Prof Cottier-Cook said: “There is an international will behind a target to halt the loss of wild seaweed habitats globally and indeed support the protection and restoration of at least 30% of them.

“Our Seaweed Breakthrough aims to catalyse this will into action.

“Aside from giving some six million seaweed farmers a livelihood – often in some of the poorest communities -seaweeds provide essential ecosystem services for the world, such as carbon cycling and coastal protection, and are home to a myriad of organisms.”

Global seaweed production has tripled in size and doubled its value in the last two decades, reaching 38 million tonnes (wet weight) in 2022, and represents more than half of marine and coastal aquaculture production worldwide.

There has been significant recent growth in Europe and North America in the sector.

Ms Minto, who is also the Scottish Government Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, said: “It was enlightening to hear all about Liz and Shaun’s amazing work at SAMS and connections across the world through the Global Seaweed projects.

“I have been continually impressed by the exciting and innovative work SAMS does here in Argyll and Bute that has a worldwide impact.”