ALGASAL⁺: Sustainable and competitive cultivation of native algae associated with brine discharges from desalination plants to improve the natural environment. Valorization of the final product in the food industry

ALGASAL+ is funded by the Pleamar 2021–2027 Program (under AXIS 6: Environmental Aquaculture Research) of the Fundación Biodiversidad, which is affiliated with the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). This grant call, co-financed by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), is aimed at strengthening actions that help promote the sustainability of aquaculture activities and the ecological transition within the blue economy, through enhanced knowledge, conservation and restoration of marine ecosystems, and research on marine resources and governance, with a focus on the Natura 2000 Network.

The general objective of the ALGASAL⁺ project is to promote a sustainable and competitive cultivation of native algae, making use of brine discharges from desalination plants and contributing to the mitigation of their environmental impact.

Its specific objectives include disseminating knowledge on the biological capital of local algae species with the capacity to adapt to hypersaline conditions in regions with limited water resources. It also aims to improve scientific and technical knowledge about algae cultivation under hypersaline conditions, and sustainable aquaculture practices using native microalgae and macroalgae, by leveraging brine discharges from desalination plants. Additionally, the project seeks to utilize and valorize the brine waste from desalination plants by incorporating it as part of the algae culture medium.

Moreover, the project will promote the blue biotechnology sector in economically less-developed regions such as the Canary Islands and Andalusia, generating technology transfer and improving knowledge on sustainable aquaculture in these communities. Finally, ALGASAL⁺ aims to valorize the final biomass obtained in the food industry, thereby contributing to food security within the European Union.