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Seaweed

Kelp is a large, leafy brown algae found in shallow ocean waters, belonging to the order Laminariales. This seaweed thrives in nutrient-rich, cold marine environments and is known for its rapid growth and large size, often forming dense underwater forests.

Kelp is a significant part of marine ecosystems, providing habitat and food for a wide range of sea life. It is also harvested for human use, valued for its high content of vitamins, minerals, and iodine, and is commonly used in foods, supplements, skincare products and fertiliser.

Kelp's role in environmental sustainability, particularly in carbon sequestration, further enhances its ecological importance.

Seaweed has many varied uses:

• In farming and horticulture, kelp is highly valued as an organic fertiliser due to its rich content of micronutrients, vitamins, and growth hormones like cytokinins and auxins. These components promote healthier plant growth, improve soil quality, and increase resistance to stressors like drought and pests.
• Chefs value kelp for its unique umami flavour, using it to enhance soups, broths, and sauces. It is also used as a natural salt substitute, adding depth of flavour to various dishes.
• Kelp has many applications for biotechnology, including the development of biodegradable plastics, packaging, clothing and biofuels.
• Kelp extracts are found in many commonly used pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) is a sustainable form of aquaculture that combines the farming of multiple species from different trophic levels (feeding positions) in a single system. This creates a balanced ecosystem where the waste products from one species become food or nutrients for another.

AML farms kelp and oysters sustainably at its flagship farm in Loch Sunart, a pristine and nutrient-rich sea loch located on the west coast of Scotland. This area is renowned for its clear waters and diverse marine ecosystem, providing an ideal environment for seaweed and shellfish cultivation.

These crops benefit from the loch's optimal conditions, including clean water, appropriate depth, and the right balance of natural nutrients essential for healthy growth.

IMTA systems can benefit the marine environment in several ways:

Carbon Sequestration: Seaweed and shellfish are highly effective at absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change.

Habitat Creation: IMTA systems provide habitats for a variety of marine species, enhancing local biodiversity.

Water Quality Improvement: Seaweed and shellfish help in filtering and purifying the water by absorbing excess nutrients and pollutants.

Sustainable Farming: IMTA systems require no fertilisers, pesticides, fresh water, or arable land, making it a sustainable form of aquaculture.

Reduction of Ocean Acidification: By absorbing carbon dioxide, seaweed and shellfish can help reduce ocean acidification, a significant threat to marine life.

Erosion Control: IMTA structures can reduce wave action, helping to protect coastlines from erosion.

AML farms its kelp and oysters without the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Our farming and production processes are designed with sustainability at their core, using low-energy principles with no chemical or heat extraction methodologies.

We are committed to producing high-quality, environmentally-responsible marine products, while supporting the preservation of the surrounding marine habitat.