[KAISO BANK] Releases Post-Transplant Growth Status in Demonstration Fields - Confirms Seaweed Attachment and Growth -

KAISO BANK has released the post-transplant growth status in its demonstration fields. Seaweed cartridges with attached seaweed seedlings undergo intermediate cultivation for several weeks to months in aquaculture facilities within fishing ports, grow to a size suitable for transplantation, and are then transplanted to substrate blocks installed in surrounding waters. Post-transplant monitoring confirmed that many individuals have firmly attached to the substrate and are growing smoothly.

Kami-echi Fishing Port, Hokkaido (Akaishi District)

Seaweed beds are maintained by combining tall columnar reefs that suppress sea urchin grazing with sea urchin fences.

Shoreline barrenness in the surrounding area (outside the sea urchin fence) Substrate blocks with low sea urchin density (inside the sea urchin fence)

Kominato Fishing Port, Yamagata Prefecture

Seaweed cartridges were transplanted onto rope stretched across plate-shaped substrate blocks. It is expected that spores from the flourishing *A. okamurui* will spread and form seaweed beds on the substrate blocks in the future.

Shidachi Fishing Port, Iwate Prefecture

Seaweed beds are maintained by using tall columnar reefs with sea urchin grazing suppression effects and by removing sea urchins.

Hodo Island Fishing Port, Oita Prefecture

In addition to transplanted *K. serrata*, the attachment of naturally settled *A. okamurui* and *S. fusiforme* was confirmed. In the future, measures against fish grazing will be additionally implemented to aim for the formation of sustainable seaweed beds.

Hōyo Fishing Port, Nagasaki Prefecture

Within the net enclosure, the growth of transplanted *A. okamurui* and *K. serrata*, as well as naturally settled *A. wakame*, was confirmed. In the future, additional substrate blocks are planned to be added to expand the creation area.

Seaweed proliferation confirmed on substrate blocks within the net enclosure.

In each demonstration field, not only transplanted seaweed but also naturally settled seaweed on the substrate blocks have shown attachment and growth, indicating the potential for diverse seaweed bed formation. Currently, based on the growth status so far, we are analyzing the growth characteristics and challenges according to the environmental conditions of each region. Moving forward, through continuous evaluation and analysis after transplantation, we will verify the effectiveness of the KAISO BANK system's functions of "create," "grow," "increase," and "measure," while also working on advancing the fundamental technology and promoting its social implementation and dissemination.

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About KAISO BANK

To promote blue carbon, we will construct a seaweed supply system (Seaweed Bank) that cultivates seaweed in large quantities and stably utilizing fishing ports, and efficiently transplants it to surrounding waters using seaweed transplantation cartridges and seaweed cultivation substrate blocks, thereby conserving and restoring wide-area seaweed beds. We aim to develop, construct, and disseminate a one-stop service from seedling production to J Blue Credit® application, utilizing a nationwide seedling supply network that can flexibly adapt to risks such as climate change and complement each other, thereby promoting the realization of carbon neutrality and nature positive.

KAISO BANK is implementing the "Blue Carbon Ecosystem Expansion Project Utilizing Seaweed Banks in Fishing Ports" under the "Development of CO2 Reduction and Absorption Technologies for Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries" project, which is part of NEDO's (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) Green Innovation Fund program.

System Flow

Implementation Structure

We have established a steering committee comprising demonstration field stakeholders and the Seaweed Bank Promotion Council, and we are working while considering local needs.

Features

As the KAISO BANK Consortium can provide comprehensive support, we aim to develop, construct, and disseminate a one-stop service from seedling production to J Blue Credit® application.

KAISO BANK

Website: https://kaisobank.jp/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaisobank2022/

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