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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-10-16 Daily Xml
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Parliamentary Committees

Natural Resources Committee: Inquiry into Commercial Seaweed Production in South Australia

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (11:01): I move:

That the seventh report of the committee, entitled Inquiry into Commercial Seaweed Production in South Australia, be noted.

Globally, seaweed is used for human consumption and aquaculture feed or substances that form gel with water, also known as hydrocolloids. Research shows seaweed's potential for carbon sequestration, its ability to sustain marine biodiversity and its capacity to generate employment and drive value-chain growth, indicate untapped opportunities. In South Australia, and Australia in general, seaweed farming is still a new industry that lags behind established industries in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Australia's recent interest in seaweed farming was sparked by the discovery of Asparagopsis, a native Australian seaweed that can reduce methane emissions from cattle by 99 per cent when added to their feed. South Australia has two key Asparagopsis species growing in different water temperatures. Hence, on 16 May 2024, the Natural Resources Committee initiated a brief inquiry into commercial seaweed production in South Australia to examine the state's unique resources and the advantages and disadvantages of upscaling seaweed farming.

The committee held six hearings from 29 August 2024 to 6 February 2025, and it received evidence from South Australian government representatives, a national seaweed association and relevant businesses. The committee visited the South Australian Research and Development Institute's (SARDI) Aquatic Sciences Centre at West Beach on 10 October 2024, and the committee's research officer attended Seagriculture, the Second International Seaweed Conference in Asia Pacific at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 18 to 20 March 2025.

The evidence submitted to the committee indicates that South Australia's seaweed industry includes wild harvest and aquaculture, with 57 approved licences for seaweed cultivation. Most of the seaweed farming in the state is on trial levels, with recent large-scale operations by CH4 Global and offshore seaweed farms with finfish farming. Finfish farming is a set-up that exemplifies industrial symbiosis, which is a collaborative model with the circular economy, where businesses exchange resources like energy, water, materials and by-products to create mutual economic and environmental benefits.

The evidence gathered by the committee showed that South Australia's location makes it an ideal place for seaweed cultivation and production. The high seaweed diversity in the state, comparatively industry-friendly regulatory requirements, and government funding and support serve as South Australia's main points of difference from those of other states.

Relative to Asparagopsis, the seaweed known for reducing methane from cows when added to their feed, South Australia's waters naturally grow both species of the seaweed. Asparagopsis armata grows in the cold waters of South Australia, while Asparagopsis taxiformis grows in the state's warmer waters. Furthermore, the evidence presented to the committee indicated First Nations peoples' interest and engagement in the state's seaweed industry.

South Australia's seaweed industry is experiencing growth in several areas, including the development of two new aquaculture zone policies and progress in commercialising seaweed products. Apart from Asparagopsis as a feed additive, other promising commercial applications include liquid biostimulants and seaweed as an alternative protein and a source of future carbon credit markets. Given its nascent phase, however, the South Australian seaweed industry faces challenges in scaling cultivation systems, reducing initial high production costs and navigating regulatory hurdles despite the state's industry-friendly regulatory requirements.

The industry also needs to consider facility set-up, biodiversity markets and increasing First Nations involvement and stakeholder education. While it is really too early to determine the profitability of seaweed farming in South Australia, the evidence provided to the committee highlighted that the key drivers for the industry's development are to reduce capital barriers, minimise risk to biodiversity and increase volume.

The committee recommends that the South Australian government engages stakeholders to reduce barriers to seaweed cultivation and product uptake. The committee considers it necessary to monitor and assess the impact of seaweed aquaculture on the land, water and communities. It is also essential to encourage First Nations participation in the industry by using their knowledge of the land's resources and their inclusion in the industry's development. In addition, the committee recommends that more consumer education and information about seaweed products and commercialisation be provided to the public.

I would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank all the witnesses who gave their time to assist the committee with this inquiry. I commend the committee members—the member for Finniss, the member for Gibson, the member for Waite, the Hon. Tammy Franks MLC, the Hon. Ben Hood MLC and the Hon. Russell Wortley MLC—for their contributions to this inquiry and the report. I would like to acknowledge also the fact that this was brought to us by the member for Waite through her interest, which sparked interest from the committee. I would also like to thank the committee secretariat for their assistance: Shane Hilton and Dr Jennefer Bagaporo. I commend the report to the house.

Ms HUTCHESSON (Waite) (11:08): I will just make a few comments on this inquiry that we undertook. I was really proud to be able to bring the idea to the committee. I attended a German Week event a couple of years back and was very happy to meet a gentleman named Adam Main, who was working for CH4 Global. He led a very brief discussion around seaweed and some of the opportunities that it presents to our state, the country and across the world with some of the amazing things that it could be capable of doing. I brought back a very basic video that is on their website, and it really sparked the interest of the committee, so I was really proud that we were able to get this inquiry off the ground.

We managed to have a look at seaweed in all sorts of different places and different ways in which it is working. Some of the more interesting ways it is being used include not only feeding it to animals to reduce their carbon footprint but also using it in make-up and all sorts of incredible supplements to make us as humans feel better. I feel like there is a really huge opportunity for the seaweed industry.

We were fortunate to go to the PIRSA site at West Beach to look at some of the work they are doing there and look at some of the seaweed that they can grow from just the smallest amount. It was really fascinating to see how passionate they were about seaweed. We picked that up from all the submissions that we received that those who are involved in the industry are really excited about what this could actually provide for our state.

I want to thank the committee for taking on the inquiry and to our Chair for taking us through it. Watch this space: I think that seaweed is going to really take off in our state. I thank all the people who provided a submission to us and all our committee members. I support the motion.

Motion carried.

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