We are pioneering the restoration of the Black Sea through the sustainable cultivation of native seaweed species, turning marine challenges into ecological opportunities.
First steps
We reveal the secrets of cultivating the seaweed Cystoseira in the Black Sea.
Growing Cystoseira in the Black Sea is an excellent example of an innovative approach to sustainable nature management that combines science, ecology and practical production. Did you know that some types of algae, like Cystoseira, are perennial and can quickly restore lost sprouts. This makes it promising for growing on plantations — there is no need to prepare «seedlings» every time. And Cystoseira, like many other algae, can absorb excess biogenic elements from seawater, thereby saving coastal ecosystems from eutrophication.
the Black Sea
Seaweed cultivation is a multi-stage process.
Stage 1: Initial immersion. During the spring or autumn periods of sexual reproduction of the algae, there is a chance to obtain fertilized Cystoseira cells by placing specially made frames with threads on the seabed in the thickets of Cystoseira.
Stage 2: Germination. After some time, the first sprouts appear on the threads. This is the most exciting stage, since it is at this moment that we understand what the algae harvest will be next year. How do we understand this? We examine random samples of threads under a microscope and estimate the number of sprouts that have appeared.
Stage 3: Laboratory period. Frames with young algae are removed from the sea and placed for the winter in special baths in the biolaboratory.
Stage 4: Wintering. Under controlled conditions, the algae are grown until spring.
Stage 5: Return to the sea. In March-April, the threads with grown algae are unwound from the frames and wound onto sea ropes (just like in the Far East). In this form, the algae will be placed in the Black Sea.
Current status
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Currently, frames with young algae have been removed from the sea and placed for the winter in special baths in the biological laboratory, where they will grow until spring under controlled conditions.
