Tunley Environmental has announced an exciting new partnership with Algapelago, a leading company in marine natural capital and regenerative aquaculture. The collaboration aims to explore innovative ways to combat climate change through sustainable marine practices, with a focus on the potential of seaweed and kelp farming to support environmental restoration and nutrient cycling.
Founded in 2021 by ocean adventurer Olly Hicks, Algapelago was created with the vision of transforming ocean farming into a large-scale, impactful solution for preserving marine ecosystems and addressing climate change. The company’s flagship initiative, the Blue Forest project, seeks to revolutionise aquaculture by establishing sustainable, scalable ocean farming systems that can contribute to both carbon sequestration and the restoration of marine biodiversity.
The Blue Forest project is set to deploy a modular cultivation rig, designed by Arctic Seaweed, off the coast of North Devon in June 2025. This pioneering system is expected to produce up to 40 tonnes of kelp annually, with offshore scalability at its core. In a bid to maximise ecological impact, the project will also integrate blue mussels alongside sugar kelp, creating a unique opportunity to study the interaction between these species. The combination of these marine organisms is anticipated to enhance carbon capture and promote marine ecosystem health, offering valuable insights into the potential of regenerative aquaculture.
Dr Nora von Xylander, Marine Biodiversity Specialist at Tunley Environmental, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership: “This collaboration with Algapelago represents a significant milestone in advancing marine conservation through the lens of regenerative aquaculture. Together, we are pushing the boundaries of blue carbon science and exploring natural systems that can help mitigate climate change.”
Tunley Environmental, a recognised leader in sustainability and carbon reduction, will provide its expertise and resources to support Algapelago’s Blue Forest programme. The company’s contribution will focus on developing future credit markets and fostering ecological improvements, while exploring the long-term potential of ocean farming as a scalable solution to tackle climate change.
Kerr Jeferies, Market Development Manager at Algapelago, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “We are thrilled to partner with Tunley Environmental. Their expertise in sustainability will be crucial in helping us develop the Blue Forest project and accelerate its impact. Together, we aim to establish strong markets for blue carbon credits and create large-scale opportunities within the growing blue economy.”
The collaboration between Tunley Environmental and Algapelago underscores the growing importance of marine-based solutions in the global fight against climate change. As the impact of climate change becomes more evident, ocean-based initiatives like regenerative aquaculture offer a promising avenue for reducing carbon emissions, restoring marine ecosystems, and advancing environmental sustainability.
By combining expertise in carbon reduction with cutting-edge aquaculture practices, the Tunley-Algapelago partnership is set to lead the way in advancing the science and application of blue carbon solutions, making a meaningful contribution to global efforts to combat climate change.