Faroe Islands hosts leading seaweed event

The Seagriculture EU 2024 conference, the most important event for the European seaweed industry, was successfully held in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands on June 18-20, 2024.

Under the unifying theme of “Connecting Continents”, Seagriculture EU 2024 crossed geographical boundaries, bringing together 224 delegates from 25 countries around the world. Representatives from over 123 companies and institutions actively engaged in discussions, networking and knowledge sharing, highlighting the global interest in seaweed cultivation and its diverse applications.

Seagriculture EU 2024 kicked off on June 18 with an exclusive site visit to Ocean Rainforest (pictured above), one of the largest seaweed farmers in Europe. The company has approximately 200,000 meters of seaweed seed lines spread over approximately 220 hectares.

Delegates were able to see first-hand their activities under the supervision of experienced guides from Ocean Rainforest. Participants took a boat trip to learn more about the growing site in Gøta and see the seaweed harvest in action, get a closer look at the production facilities and hatchery, and travel from land to other growing sites in Funningsfjørð.

The conference hears “elevator” sounds.

On June 19-20, the Seagriculture EU 2024 conference had a dynamic program with five plenary sessions, two panel discussions and the newly introduced seaweed lift stations. This innovative format allowed multiple projects to be discussed quickly, increasing the depth and breadth of industry insights shared. With nearly 50 speakers, including international experts from DG MARE, FermentationExperts, Unilever, Cargill and Future Feed, participants gained access to diverse perspectives on seaweed farming, innovation and regulation.

At the fair, exhibitors presented their latest technologies and devices. Organizers say the fair and the quality of networking were exceptional, and participants were eager to contact exhibitors. The trade fair stands were very popular, and many conference delegates established immediate contacts and lively exchanges, reflecting the dynamic and interactive nature of the event.

The 2024 event was hailed as a success

“We are thrilled with the response and success of Seagriculture EU 2024,” said Kuno Jacobs, managing director of DLG Benelux, the conference organizer. “The potential participation of seaweed specialists, researchers and decision-makers highlights the growing recognition of seaweed as a key element of a sustainable future. We are particularly pleased with the increasing number of delegates year on year, not only from the seaweed and aquaculture industries, but also from the feed and food industries and other related sectors. This diversity underscores the relevance and importance of the conference in addressing broader sustainability challenges.”

In addition to enriching the conference with valuable knowledge and insights, the Seagriculture EU 2024 project also provided an authentic experience of Faroese culture. After the first day of the conference, various companies from the Faroe Islands offered several seaweed bites during a seaweed tasting. Another unforgettable attraction was the conference dinner, during which the delegates listened to the songs of the national choir.

As part of Seagriculture EU 2024, the organizers introduced the B2Match conference application, providing participants with an effective way to communicate, plan meetings and stay up to date with the latest news. The app has made it easier to organize over 160 meetings, helping delegates build new connections and partnerships and ensuring a smooth and engaging conference.

Seagriculture conferences act as a driving force for innovation, collaboration and knowledge sharing, supporting progress in the seaweed industry. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, the conference accelerated the adoption of sustainable practices, promoted market expansion and highlighted seaweed as a key solution to global climate challenges.

The next editions of Seagriculture will be:

Seagriculture USA 2024: Ketchikan, Alaska on September 11 – 12, 2024.

Marine Agriculture Asia Pacific 2025: Adelaide, Australia 18-20 March 2025

EU Marine Agriculture 2025: Rotterdam, The Netherlands 17-19 June 2025