An Ireland-coordinated European consortium of associations, institutes and sector bodies has formally launched SEAGROW, a multi-country initiative designed to strengthen sustainable seaweed farming and integrated aquaculture across Europe. 

The project, led from Ireland by regenerative aquaculture company Óir Na Farraige, held its first in-person kick-off meeting at Trinity College Dublin, bringing together academic institutes, foundations and industry-aligned organisations.

SEAGROW is funded under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and has a total eligible project value of €1,427,742.73. Partners span five EU countries: Ireland, Portugal, Malta, Bulgaria and the Netherlands. 

The collaboration brings together higher education institutes, research centres, foundations and sector-focused consultancies to develop scalable, evidence-based models for regenerative aquaculture.

From Ireland, Trinity College Dublin will assess environmental and biodiversity impacts, while Clear Seas Aqua contributes operational and farm design expertise. 

International partners include the Atlantic International Research Centre in Portugal, responsible for scientific synthesis and policy links; AquaBioTech Group in Malta, leading life cycle and regulatory assessments; the Via Pontica Foundation in Bulgaria, examining feasibility in the Black Sea region; and Sea Going Green in the Netherlands, overseeing communications and stakeholder engagement.

Gareth Murphy, managing director of Óir na Farraige and Chair of the Irish Seaweed Association, said: “SEAGROW brings together science, industry, and European collaboration to strengthen how we produce food from the ocean while protecting marine ecosystems.”

The initiative also aligns closely with Ireland’s national sector strategy, with support from Bord Iascaigh Mhara. 

BIM interim CEO Richard Donnelly said: “The SEAGROW project, being led by Óir na Farraige, directly aligns with BIM's Irish Macro Algal Cultivation Strategy to 2030, a strategy that is essentially a roadmap for industry to develop their processing capabilities.” 

Discover how European institutes are collaborating to redefine sustainable aquaculture.