Algae aquaculture accounts for 50% of world aquaculture production, with an annual increase of 6%, and it is concentrated in Asia and Africa, with extremely small levels of production in western countries. However, the convergence of biotechnological developments and environmental emergencies in terms of climate, the oceans and biodiversity has aroused increasing interest in the role of algae-growing as a key factor to solve many of these problems and move towards a sustainable society.

This talk will outline the current status of macroalgae production and future expectations, in terms of food and other areas, which are helping to step up the pace of global algae aquaculture demand.