Advancing Asparagopsis Hatcheries: Overcoming Challenges for Industry Growth
Dr. Manoj Kumar, Senior Research Fellow, Seaweed Tech Lead, Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC), Central Queensland University, Australia
About the speaker:
Dr. Manoj Kumar is a Senior Research Fellow at CQUniversity’s Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre, with more than 15 years of expertise in phycology. His research focuses on the resilience of marine plants and algae to global climate change, as well as seaweed aquaculture, reproductive biology, micropropagation, and breeding.
Dr. Kumar has secured over AUD $2.5 million in research funding from prominent organizations, including the Australian Research Council (ARC), Australian Academy of Sciences (AAS), Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance (ASSA), and the Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre (MBCRC). His recent work involves developing micropropagation and breeding tools for seaweeds, alongside innovative seaweed biomass processing for sustainable materials and energy.
Dr. Kumar actively collaborates with startups and industry partners, providing research support in seaweed aquaculture, seagrass restoration, and the development of seaweed-based products. He has received the ARC-DECRA and Thomas Davies Research Award and has been honored twice with the Australia-China Young Scientists Exchange Award (2018, 2019). With over 50 high-impact publications, he also edited Systems Biology of Marine Ecosystems (Springer, 2018) and currently serves as President of the Australasian Society for Phycology and Aquatic Botany (ASPAB). Additionally, he is on the editorial board of Phycologia and is a guest editor for Frontiers in Marine Science.
Organisation:
The Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC) partners with coastal industries and communities to develop sustainable solutions for coastal and marine environments. Based in Central Queensland, CMERC conducts applied, interdisciplinary research - from coastal catchments to sea - focusing on ecosystem resilience. With expertise in ecology, economics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and social science, CMERC offers practical solutions that balance community, industry, and environmental needs. It collaborates with local industries, communities, and Traditional Owners, contributing to sustainable development and education. CMERC is integral to protecting the southern Great Barrier Reef and advancing Australia’s blue economy through innovative, evidence-based practices.
Presentation:
At the Seagriculture 2025 conference, I will discuss the potential of Asparagopsis farming in reducing livestock methane emissions, which account for 11% of Australia’s greenhouse gases. Despite its promise, Australia faces challenges in scaling up Asparagopsis farming, including seasonal limitations, stress susceptibility, and the need for optimized cultivation and reproduction techniques. I will highlight CQUniversity’s CMERC efforts, in partnership with the Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance (ASSA), to overcome these challenges through innovations in reproduction, propagation, and seeding techniques. Key advancements, including phytohormone-induced tetrasporogenesis, low-carbon concrete tiles as substrates, and protoplast technology, aim to enhance biomass yield and support Australia’s goal for sustainable, scalable seaweed aquaculture.