Tjärnö part of million-investment in new seafood
Tjärnö Marine Laboratory plays an important role in a new Swedish/Norwegian-project focusing on unusual seafood in Sweden and Norway today – like oysters, blue mussels and algae. Food that is healthy for the environment as well as for humans.
"This is the future," says Marina Panova, station manager at the Tjärnö marine laboratory.
Algae, pacific oysters and blue mussels. These are some of the species from the sea that are used to a very limited extent as food for daily consumption in Sweden and Norway.
They are also species that can be cultivated in the sea without the need for additional nutrients. Some of them filter seawater and can play a significant role in limiting the effects of eutrophication. Seaweed also absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide and can help limit climate effects.
"We believe that this is the food of the future, and it's something we want to continue working on and developing, and find methods for doing on a larger scale. It's about creating opportunities for sustainable cultivation of low-trophic species, species that are far down the food chain in the sea," says Marina Panova, station manager at Tjärnö Marine Laboratory.
Tjärnö centre for innovation in ‘blue’ industry
At the turn of the year, Tjärnö will join the Testarena Skagerrak project, which is owned by Strömstad and the Norwegian municipality of Hvaler, and is largely financed by the EU's Interreg programme for Norway and Sweden. The Västra Götaland region is contributing funds and Innovatum is also a partner.
In total, just over SEK 20 million will be invested over a three-year period to develop and create new opportunities for marine-based cultivation in northern Bohuslän and south-eastern Norway.
"We are obviously delighted to be part of this. We already have an infrastructure with laboratories and a test bed for cultivation in the sea, but we will be developing our facilities in this project. We will create opportunities for companies and others who want to test and develop methods in aquaculture and marine-based cultivation," says Marina Panova.
The Tjärnö marine laboratory has a tradition of spinning off research and development to commercial companies focused on marine cultivation. Nordic Sea Farm, which works with seaweed, is one example, and the oyster farmers Ostrea on Koster is another.
"There is a wealth of knowledge and experience here that will be useful. In addition, we have ongoing research in marine aquaculture and ongoing collaborations with companies. This is also an advantage for those who want to develop the cultivation of new species here," says Marina Panova.
Creating value for northern Bohuslän
Several pilot projects are already underway or in the starting blocks within the framework of Testarena Skagerrak. These include the co-cultivation of mussels and oysters, the cultivation of sea lettuce on a larger scale, and work on how the invasive species Pacific oyster can be used on a larger scale.
The plan is also to establish a blue hub in Strömstad and Hvaler, where knowledge and support will be available in the areas of aquaculture, blue economy and marine farming.
"It is extremely positive that we have been given this opportunity to create value for the municipalities here in northern Bohuslän and in Norway. We need to work together – universities, authorities, businesses, politicians and local communities – to find ways to achieve a sustainable future. And I believe that marine-based farming is one such way. This is going to be very exciting," says Marina Panova.
Text: Mikael Andersson
The project is owned by the municipalities of Strömstad and Hvaler and is being carried out in collaboration with Tjärnö Marine Laboratory, the University 91̽»¨ and Innovatum.
The EU's Interreg programme for Norway/Sweden is contributing SEK 10 million, and the Västra Götaland Region is contributing SEK 3.5 million. The total budget for three years is just over SEK 20 million.
The aim is to strengthen research, development and innovation in blue marine industries such as algae, mussel and oyster farming. The aim is also to bring together researchers, companies and authorities to test and develop farming, technology and business models.
A blue hub will be built in Strömstad and Hvaler to support entrepreneurship and innovation in the blue economy.
The goal is to improve the environmental status of the Skagerrak and Oslofjord, create more test environments for companies, generate new jobs, harmonise Swedish and Norwegian regulations and increase international visibility for the Bohuslän/Östfold border region.