China seaweed

China is the largest producer of seaweed in the world, accounting for more than half of the global production. Some of the main seaweed species cultivated in China are Saccharina japonica, Undaria pinnatifida, Laminaria, Porphyra, and Gracilaria. Seaweed aquaculture provides ecosystem services such as carbon capture, nutrient removal, pH amelioration, and habitat provision. However, seaweed aquaculture also faces challenges such as genetic diversity loss, agronomic trait degradation, pollution, ocean warming, and ocean acidification. Seaweed aquaculture is considered a nature-based solution for climate change mitigation and adaptation and a circular bioeconomy that can support many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.