The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) launched a new study on the sustainability of the European Algae Industry and on how it can support tackling challenges like food security, water pollution, and climate change. The study was released in June 2025 and explores algae’s potential to: replace fish-based feed with algae-based feed in aquaculture; produce biofertilisers and biostimulants; clean wastewater; help mitigate climate change; and support sustainable food and feed systems.
The Atlantic Region is mentioned in the study, in particular, linked to wild seaweed harvesting. It is considered “commercially important” in countries like France, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain: “while future EU seaweed production will focus on cultivation, wild harvesting continues to support coastal jobs and rural economies”.
The study also concludes that Europe’s algae market is still relatively minor and depends almost entirely on wild collection (99%) instead of farming. This slow adoption is motivated by cultural unfamiliarity, regulatory barriers, and limited product availability, which together constrain market growth.
