SEAGREENS
Sustainable Seafood Alternatives.
Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is a potential energy crop. Linking Tourism & Conservation/Flickr, CC BY
INTRODUCTION
Within ocean ecosystems, unsustainable fishing and overfishing are the greatest threats to marine life which can in turn, distort and destroy food chains which affect all life in the chain.
Whilst there are common replacements for red-meat products such as Quorn and tofu, for seafood products, there is minimal alternatives meaning that if we do not act upon and question our actions and consumption patterns, we will end up seriously damaging fish populations, possibly leading to extinction. Although there are measures implemented globally to allow for fish to re-populate areas, they are not always well enforced and so it is up to us, the consumer, to also take responsibility.
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For example, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) found that 5 out of the 8 tuna species are at risk of extinction with all three species of bluefin tuna nearly extinct, it makes their populations practically irreversible.
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If you want to get involved and educate yourself on how to help marine ecosystems cope, you can join organisations and movements that tackle governmental governance and monitoring on fisheries that engage in unsustainable fishing.
Additionally, and maybe more accessibly, you could review your diet and question how much seafood products you consume. With large demands for fish, fisheries go for more fish often in any way they can. However, if we supplement fish with alternative protein and vitamin sources, the lower demand will keep fish populations from extinction. While these can be found in plant sources such as nuts, seeds and beans, we aim to promote the consumption and cultivation of seaweed for the consumer to enjoy.
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"Seaweed Attack!!" by seanmcgrath is licensed under CC BY 2.0
"seaweed" by udeyismail is licensed under CC BY 2.0
HOW SEAWEED IS GROWN
Seaweed are fast-growing algae that can be sustainably farmed. Seedlings are strung from a rope that is then suspended in water. Once the seaweed is fully grown and chopped free, the lines are then left to regrow.
This seaweed is then processed to either be used in food or for use in a variety of other products such as cosmetics.
Globally, around 12 million tonnes of seaweed is grown and harvested annually, but production is still expanding. Seaweed is currently being explored as a tool to combat climate change, with even smaller scale kelp farms having the potential to substantially lower atmospheric CO2. But kelp farming is not solely about reducing COâ‚‚. In fact, it is being driven by sustainable production of high-quality protein.
BENEFITS OF INCLUDING SEAWEED IN YOUR DIET
Seaweed is also termed sea vegetables because of how good it is for the human body. It is highly nutritious and extremely versatile so it can be used in a variety of dishes, including sushi rolls, soups and stews, salads, supplements and smoothies.
Seaweed contains vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin K, B vitamins, zinc and iron, and is a good source of omega-3 fats normally sourced from fish. It has a wide variety of antioxidants that can protect your body from cell damage and is a good source for fibre and sugars which can support the gut.
There has been research into the benefits of seaweed in relation to reducing cholesterol, blood pressure and risk of blood clots, all of which are associated with heart disease. Furthermore, a substance found in seaweed, fucoxanthin, has been shown to improve blood sugar control, and consequently reduce the risk of diabetes.
If these don't convince you of how beneficial seaweed could be for the human body, the fibre content can help delay hunger assisting with people trying to lose weight.
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NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
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Generally, 1 tablespoon (7 grams) of dried spirulina can provide:
Calories: 20
Carbs: 1.7 grams
Protein: 4 grams
Fat: 0.5 gram
Fiber: 0.3 grams
Riboflavin: 15% of the RDI
Thiamin: 11% of the RDI
Iron: 11% of the RDI
Manganese: 7% of the RDI
Copper: 21% of the RDI
KNOW YOUR SEAWEED
​While you can buy seaweed from companies that are sustainably producing it, you can also find seaweed across our shores. Here we can included the different types of edible seaweed and attached an ID guide that you can take with you next time you wander down to the beach.
DULSE
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Dulse is a dark red or purple coloured seaweed that can grow up to half a metre in length. It has a salty taste that has been likened to bacon.
KELP
This seaweed is brown and very large. It has leathery fronds that can grow many metres long. Some species of kelps can form forests which house an incredibly diverse range of sea life and act as carbon sinks.
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Kelp is already used in certain recipes, including miso soup, where it is known as kombu. Like a bay leaf, it's removed after cooking but enhances the flavour.
SEA SPAGHETTI (THONGWEED)
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Like hair draped over rocks at low tide, this seaweed can grow up to several metres long and has a mild taste that can mix well with spaghetti or be eaten on its own.
LAVER
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A key ingredient in the traditional Welsh dish, Laverbread, this fine seaweed can be found on exposed rocks and stones on sandy beaches. Laver must be cooked for 10 hours before the flavour is unlocked. Then it can be enjoyed as a thick paste known as Laverbread.
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SEA LETTUCE
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Sea lettuce slightly resembles garden lettuce, hence the name. When dried, it has a delicate texture but a strong taste so only small quantities of this seaweed are needed in a meal.
CARRAGEEN
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You might not realise it, but you could be eating seaweed more often than you think. Carrageen is used as a thickener for puddings such as ice cream. Boiled for 30mins to produce a slime that is strained, it is tasteless but excellent for setting a panna cotta.
GROW YOUR OWN
Don't live near the sea or just want to make use of an old fish tank but are interested in incorporating seaweed into your diet? Our product, grow your own ‘seagreens’, is the perfect place to start.
Our ‘Grow Your Own’ Kit helps you to grow your own seaweed in your own home.
In the kit you get:
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Instruction manual
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Salt
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Liquid fertiliser
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Thermometer
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Fresh seaweed
*You will need to provide your own fish tank, heater and rock
This grow your own kit is perfect for families with children of any age as it can be used as a fun activity or educational resource.
With this product we also have others in mind as this would be great for vegans, vegetarians or anyone who wants to help make a step in the right direction to combat over-fishing. Broaden your awareness of what is happening in our seas right now whilst also broadening your recipe book and palate. We've even linked some tasty recipes to try below.
RECIPIE IDEAS
Tried, tested and tasty.
Seaweed is an increasingly popular choice of ingredient to be implemented in different cuisines all over the world. It is a versatile ingredient and can be used in various dishes. Seaweed is commonly seen in Asian cuisines such as Japanese, Korean and Chinese.
There are numerous of dishes that many of us may know has seaweed such as Sushi or Miso Soup but there are also many other ways in implementing seaweed into your everyday meal game. Below are some recipes that will show you the various ways seaweed can be added into your food to make you see seaweed in a different way as well as make it a more enjoyable way of eating.
"Fuji seaweed salad" by khawkins04 is licensed under CC BY 2.0
This is a burger that is enhanced with bright green seaweed slaw that gives the burger a crunchy boost.
Are you trying to avoid refined carbohydrates and wheat? Or perhaps wanting to try a new way of making pasta? This is a close cousin to Puttanesca and good alternative from the traditional dish as its more nutritious and sustainable.
Pictured above. Delicious, nutritious and very easy to prepare. This salad can also be a great addition to a bento box or served as a side.
This can be a delicious breakfast, lunch in a bento box or perhaps dinner over rice kind of dish. With the seaweed rolled in the middle of the egg, this gives the omelette crunch and extra flavour.
​Many of us have tried many different kinds of chips but have you tried seaweed-based chips? This recipe is a fast and easy way to make seaweed chips at the comfort of your home.
DOCUMENTARIES
Here are some eye-opening documentaries which explain the issue of overfishing and the impact of human activity on the sea