Liu, Feng, Zhang, Yongyu, Bi, Yuping, Chen, Weizhou, Moejes, Fiona Wanjiku. 2019. Understanding the Evolution of Mitochondrial Genomes in Phaeophyceae Inferred from Mitogenomes of Ishige okamurae (Ishigeales) and Dictyopteris divaricata (Dictyotales). Journal of Molecular Evolution January 2019.
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Liu, Feng, Liu, Xingfeng, Wang, Yu, Jin, Zhe, Moejes, Fiona Wanjiku, Sun, Song. 2018. Insights on the Sargassum horneri golden tides in the Yellow Sea inferred from morphological and molecular data. Limnol. Oceanogr., 63: 1762-1773.
Read the article.

Liu, Feng,  Pan,Jun,  Zhang,Zhongshan, Moejes, Fiona Wanjiku. 2018. Organelle genomes of Sargassum confusum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae): mtDNA vs cpDNA. Journal of Applied Phycology, March 2018.
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Helmes, Roel J. K., López-Contreras, Ana M., Benoit Maud Abreu, Helena, Maguire,Julie, Moejes, Fiona and  van den Burg, Sander W. K. 2018. Environmental Impacts of Experimental Production of Lactic Acid for Bioplastics from Ulva spp. Sustainability 2018, 10(7), 2462
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Vitamin K₃, as either menadione nicotinamide bisulfite [MNB] or menadione sodium bisulphite [MSB], is safe for all animal species and authorized for use as a nutritional additive without time limit or maximum content under Council Directive 70/524/EEC. However, both MSB and MNB are sensitive to light and heat and considerable loss can occur in feed manufacture. The inclusion of MNB or MSB in fish diets in a way where their viability and stability is optimized will facilitate greater opportunity for uptake into fish tissue. Studies have shown that MSB may be toxic in mammals and one study found that Atlantic salmon fed MSB (at a concentration of 30 mg/kg) showed reduced performance. In contrast, MNB has been shown to be relatively well tolerated at high concentrations in rainbow trout. As a result of these studies, MNB is the more commonly used form of vitamin K₃ added to fish feeds and will be used in this trial.

Thus, OKIN aims to examine the effect of fortifying salmon diets with different levels of vitamin K₃ on the concentration of vitamin K in the resulting fillet and identification of the optimized level of inclusion in the diet.

The CoCliME (Co-development of Climate Services for adaptation to changing Marine Ecosystems) project will co-develop and co-produce bespoke, proof-of-concepts or prototype marine ecosystem climate services and a transferable framework for climate services development, to support informed decision making relevant to climate change-related ecological and socio-economic impacts across different coastal regions.

BMRS is involved in WP1 (co-development with users), WP3 (ecological and socio-economic impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and their users) and WP4 (delivery and dissemination of CoCLiME services and transferable processes). The project is looking at historical data to project the long-term (in 10+ years) effect of climate change on coastal regions using modelling tools. In collaboration with the Marine Institute, we are in charge of the Irish Atlantic case study which focuses on Bantry Bay. Based on initial results, CoCliME is aiming to provide a climate service that will include model projections for the next 20 years on physical environmental conditions and expert opinion on how these changes might affect harmful phytoplankton and microbes.

BMRS has created questionnaires and surveys, and conducted interviews for engaging with different stakeholders involved in aquaculture in Bantry Bay (producers and processors), and have completed Engagement Points 1 and 2.

The project aims to investigate, extract and test anti-methanogenic compounds from Irish seaweeds on rumen fluid. The project will screen native Irish seaweeds and identify suitable candidates that demonstrating any anti-methanogenic properties. This will be followed by the investigation of potential cultivation techniques of the seaweed species of interest. The project will also look at initial stabilisation and conservation techniques so that the biomass maintains it anti-methanogenic potency. Finally, the project will address the applicability of the resulting seaweed product as a potential feed additive, particularly for ruminants including cattle. The product will be subjected to thorough assessments including, but not limited to, environmental impact, health and safety and techno-economic assessments.

To date, researchers at BMRS have developed a sampling protocol that must be adhered to for all seaweed sampling. A seaweed identification flipbook was also created to help researchers identify the seaweed in the field. Below is the current draft of the protocol that has been tested on four separate occasions. Amendments may be made during this early stage in order to ensure that a useful and well-thought out protocol is applied for the remainder of the project. Four sites in West Cork for collecting samples have been identified. Samples are being analysed for bromoform, total bromine and moisture content by Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) whom we were put in contact with by Dr Abraham Venter. Samples are kept in the -80C freezer awaiting freeze-drying once RSSL is ready to receive the samples.

Advise and comments from Pete Donlon (BIM), Noel Lee (Connemara Seaweed Company), and Prof. Juliet Brodie (Natural History Museum London; co-author of the “Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland” book)

Update May 2020

Newspaper Articles

Independent.ie
Red seaweed used in animal feed 'could cut methane emissions from cattle here by 60pc'

Afloat.ie
Red Seaweed Cultivation for Animal Feed Could Help Meet Government Climate Targets

The researcher Dee McElligott checking Asparagopsis armata tetrasporohytes under the microscope.New growth from Asparagopsis armata tetrasporohyte from the cultures

Update April 2020

New growth pom poms from our Asparagopsis armata cultures

Update January 2020

As part of the MERCS research project, we are working hard to try innovative ways of growing new species of seaweed, some of them with considerable success.

Pictures: Asparagopsis armata tetrasporophytes cultures:

This project has received funding from Bord Iascaigh Mhara through the European Maritime Fisheries Fund.

The aim of the project is to investigate, the structural and functional characterisation of novel macroalgal-derived phlorotannin, carotenoids (fucoxanthin) and polysaccharides (fucan) from Alaria esculenta cultivated on near-shore long-lines in Bantry Bay, Co. Cork, providing further insight into the structure and antimicrobial/antioxidant activity of the compounds. These compounds have the potential to enhance both human and animal nutrition and general well-being.

The principal premise is that long-line macroalgal cultivation coupled with characterisation analysis will allow for the identification and quantification of these bioactive for reproducible use in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and veterinary products.

BMRS has cultivated 11 long-lines in the 2017/2018 season and has deployed the lines for the 2018/2019 season. Extraction and characterisation of fucoxanthin and phlorotannins has been carried out. Antioxidant activities of both these compounds has also been completed.

Update April 2020

Seaweed harvesting in Bantry BayThe researcher, Silvia Blanco, extracting polysaccharides from Alaria esculenta.

Update March 2020

Seaweed harvesting on March 26.

Seaweed being lifted from the boat

Researchers filling the bins with seaweed from the seaweed farm

Researchers from BMRS after the first seaweed harvesting on March 26

Alaria esculenta’s sporophylls observed on the seaweed farm

Mature sporophylls taken from the seaweed farm

High-value bio-active compounds

Precipitation of polysaccharides from Alaria esculenta’s samplesBantry Marine Research Station has developed a new protocol to extract polysaccharides from Alaria esculenta. The findings will provide more insight into the seasonal variability of a sulphated polysaccharide, fucans, and its ability to improve nutrition for both humans and animals.

Update February 2020

The intern Kora Uellendahl holding a small individual of Alaria esculenta in Bantry Marine Research Station seaweed farm.

Alaria esculenta sporophylls

Alaria esculenta sporophylls

Update January 2020

We have deployed long-lines of Alaria esculenta last October and November. Since then, they have experienced a spectacular development, with individuals between 1.5 and 2 m in length.

At the same time, we are testing the antioxidant activity of the seaweed extracts at Bantry Marine Research Station facilities

Liu, F., Pan, J., Zhang, Z.,Moejes, F.W. 2018. Organelle genomes of the golden tide-forming alga Sargassum confusum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae): mtDNA vs cpDNA. Journal of Applied Phycology, 1-8
Read the article.

During the next three years the PRIMROSE project, will form a network of scientists and industry members to produce an inter-regional toxin and microbiological advisory and forecasting capability to the European aquaculture industry. "The project will produce applications based on reusing existing monitoring data, modelled coastal hydrodynamics, satellite and other novel aerial observations, meteorological, historical and recent trend data to predict and give early warning of toxic blooms and elevated microbiological events. This will allow fish and shellfish farmers to adapt their culture and harvesting practices in time, in order to reduce potential losses," explained project coordinator Joe Silke, from the Marine Institute.

The Marine Institute will implement the lead role of coordinating the project and ensure that all the work packages, actions, deliverables and results are achieved. Already, a strong partnership approach has been established during the project preparation. By consolidating and further developing the regional knowledge capital that exists, the consortium is confident of a successful outcome. Partners will participate in a suite of six work packages and will develop a sustainable product that will be largely automated to predict and produce regular published reports for the long term once the project is finished.

In recent years there has been much discussion of satellites being able to track surface algal blooms. Understanding biological phenomena in the ocean requires a complex approach, though there is some merit in using satellite derived chlorophyll images to delineate high biomass near surface algal blooms. Much cutting edge harmful algal bloom research work has focused on subsurface profiles, where certain species are present in thin layers of limited geographical extent often associated with strong density interfaces. Phytoplankton blooms, micro-algal blooms, toxic algae, red tides, or harmful algae, are all terms for naturally occurring phenomena. Clearly, in order for a toxic, harmful algal bloom, or a microbiological forecast to be realistic, physical factors including changes in water column structure and transport pathways are necessary.

"PRIMROSE is the next step towards providing an operational advisory service by integrating physical oceanographic drivers with a variety of biotoxin, phytoplankton count and microbiological data. A distributed advisory service and a network of thematic experts distributed across the participating countries will then network to provide regular advisory products and forecasts of impending toxic and harmful algal events" Joe Silke further said.

PRIMROSE brings together experts in the areas of Modelling, Earth Observation, Harmful Algal Bloom and Microbiological monitoring programmes and end users to assemble a number of key data sets and build upon and explore new forecasting options. The consortium includes three UK partners (Seafood Shetland, Scottish Association for Marine Science and Plymouth Marine Lab) two Irish partners (Marine Institute and Bantry Marine Research Station), one partner in France (IFREMER), three in Spain (AZTI, Instituto Oceanographico Espanol and AGAPA) and one in Portugal (Institute Technico Superior/University of Lisboa).