This forum brings together stakeholders, researchers, and innovators to discuss the role of seaweed in Europe’s blue bioeconomy, covering regional insights, funding opportunities, legal frameworks, and market potential.
This edition puts the spotlight on the seaweed sector in Ireland, featuring multiple panels, round table sessions, and expert speakers.
On-site: places are limited and subject to approved registration.
Online: the livestream will be available on the project website and on YouTube at @I3-4-SEAWEED.
Maeve Edwards
Director & Co-Founder at Irish Seaweed Consultancy Ltd.
Daniel Silva
I3-4-SEAWEED project coordinator, F6S
Majbritt Bolton-Warberg
Blue Economy Programme Manager at Marine Institute
Maris Stulgis
Policy Officer Blue Bioeconomy, Algae and Aquaculture, DG MARE, European Commission
Speakers
Gareth Murphy, Irish Seaweed Association
Lorena Marcos Almansa, Bantry Marine Research Station
Michael O’Neil, Pure Ocean Algae
Moderator
Maeve Edward, Irish Seaweed Consultancy
Speakers
Tom Robbens, Pittman Seafoods
Diana Cuesta, Ficosterra
Stefan Kraan, Oceana Organic Products
Jolien Pillu, Revi food
Moderator
Lorraine Gallagher, The Seaweed Company
Speakers
Tom Shearer, Seaweed for Dogs
Nathana Cristofoli, Momodoro
Sofia Ruiz, Futuralga S.Coop
Moderator
Oriane Georges, F6S
Moderator
Martins Lastovskis , Submariner Network
Participants
I3-4-SEAWEED Capacity building programe SMEs
Participants
Astrid Van Haecht, Vives
Ilse Fraeye, KU Leuven
Tom Robbens, Pitmann Seafoods
Jolien Pillu, Remi Seafood
Lorraine Gallagher, The Seaweed Company
Moderator
Liselot De Vlieger, KU Leuven
Ronan Cooney, Bord Iascaigh Mhara/BIM
> Online streaming
The I3-4-SEAWEED project ran an open call through which seaweed-focused SMEs were selected for a capacity-building programme. As one of the final tasks, the SMEs will deliver a project pitch.
>> Session available in-person only
Dr. Maeve Edwards is an Irish seaweed aquaculture specialist with nearly 25 years of applied macroalgal research experience. She has pioneered work on the cultivation of native species such as Palmaria palmata and kelps, contributing to Ireland’s emerging seaweed sector. In 2013, she co-founded Irish Seaweed Consultancy Ltd, a female-led company providing science-based services—including algal hatchery support, wild seaweed bioresource management, and product development—to advance the development of aquaculture and mindful seaweed use of wild resources across Europe.
I3-4-SEAWEED project coordinator, F6S
Policy Officer Blue Bioeconomy, Algae and Aquaculture, DG MARE, European Commission
Stefan obtained his PhD in phylogenetics and aquaculture of edible seaweeds from the National University of Ireland, Galway in 2001. He established the Irish Seaweed Centre at the University of Galway and has since founded and led several seaweed-focused businesses, including Ocean Harvest Technology and The Seaweed Company.
His work spans the full seaweed value chain, from cultivation and processing to applications in food, feed, biostimulants, biomaterials and biotechnology. Stefan served as President of the International Seaweed Association (2016–2019) and is currently President of the International Society for Applied Phycology (2024–2027).
He has also supported international seaweed sector development, including coaching 14 Indonesian seaweed companies to diversify and access European markets. He currently works on seaweed cultivation and processing in India and biodegradable aquaculture systems in Norway. His expertise includes seaweed aquaculture, sustainable algal resources, industrial applications, biotechnology and innovative cultivation systems.
Diana María Cuesta Gómez is a Marine Biologist with a PhD in Aquaculture and experience in seaweed research and the development of seaweed-derived products. Her work spans seaweed cultivation and biomass valorization, biochemical and microbiological analysis, and the development of seaweed-based biostimulants for sustainable agriculture. As R&D Manager at Ficosterra, she leads multidisciplinary and international research activities focused on transforming marine biomass and its bioactive compounds into innovative agricultural solutions. Her career combines scientific research, laboratory expertise, product development, and R&D project coordination.
Tom Shearer is Co-Owner and Commercial Director of Seaweed for Dogs, an Irish company that manufactures seaweed supplements for canine health under its own brands, Seaweed for Dogs and Borvo Nutrients. Tom leads the company’s international expansion into the US, UK and Canada, manages its growth on Amazon’s global sales platforms, and is expanding its contract and private label manufacturing business. Tom is also project lead for CANISEA (Seaweed Bio-actives for Canine Health), an EU-funded project under the I3-4-SEAWEED Open Call.
Gareth Murphy is Chair of the Irish Seaweed Association and Co-Founder and Managing Director of Óir na Farraige Teoranta, a regenerative seaweed aquaculture company cultivating native kelp (Saccharina latissima) at licensed sites in Bantry Bay, with plans to expand to Galway Bay (permit pending). The third generation of his family to work in aquaculture, he brings experience across a range of species and systems, from mussel farming to offshore seaweed cultivation with North Sea Farm 1. One of seven children, Gareth learned early from his father that the secret to a profitable farm is a large family and no payroll.
Lorena specialises in seaweed cultivation, disease and marine ecology. She holds a Master’s in marine science and Bachelor’s in Environmental Science with a focus on marine ecosystems. With extensive hands-on experience, Lorena has worked with various seaweed species, including Alaria esculenta, Saccharina latissima, Gracilaria caudata, Kappaphycus alvarezii, and Kappaphycus striatus. Her research spans Brazil, Norway, and Indonesia, where she has contributed to kelp processing and quality control, as well as researched fermentation and acid preservation techniques.
Sofía Tristancho Ruiz is Co-Founder and Project Manager of FUTURALGA, a Spanish blue bioeconomy company developing compostable materials from the invasive seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae. She leads FUTURALGA-PACK, supported by the I3-4-SEAWEED programme, which focuses on advancing the validation and pre-industrial scale-up of this technology for sustainable packaging applications. Through FUTURALGA, she has participated in European innovation and cascade funding programmes supporting the development, validation and market uptake of circular bioeconomy solutions.
Food Engineer and Biotechnology PhD researcher driven by sustainable product development and upcycling agri-food by-products. Combines technical expertise with project management, aiming to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and the market.
Michael O’Neill is CEO of Pure Ocean Algae, an Irish seaweed biotechnology company specialising in the cultivation, processing, and development of high-value seaweed products. He has extensive experience in aquaculture and marine operations and is actively involved in developing innovative solutions for Ireland’s growing blue bioeconomy.
Ilse Fraeye is Associate Professor at KU Leuven Campus Ghent and head of the Meat Technology & Science of Protein-rich Foods (MTSP) research group. Her research focuses on how ingredients, product formulation and processing determine the quality, functionality and sensory properties of protein-rich foods. MTSP conducts research on meat products, vegan alternatives and hybrid concepts, using a wide range of protein sources, including meat, plant-based ingredients, insects and seaweed. The group’s expertise covers food structure, texture and flavour, with particular strengths in techno-functional ingredient properties and aroma. MTSP operates a well-equipped pilot plant for the production of protein-rich foods and has advanced analytical laboratory infrastructure for ingredient and product characterisation.
Tom Robbens is Quality Manager at Pittman Seafoods, a Belgian seafood company based in Zeebrugge. With over 20 years of experience in the food industry, he has built extensive expertise in food quality, safety and international supply chains. Within the EU-funded I3-4-SEAWEED project, Tom is actively involved in assessing the quality, safety and market potential of seaweed for food applications. His work focuses on bridging practical industry requirements with research and innovation, supporting the development of reliable seaweed supply chains and facilitating the successful introduction of seaweed into the European food market.
Lorraine Gallagher is an experienced business and operations leader with a strong background in aquaculture, food, sustainability and innovation. She has held senior management roles across the seaweed and seafood sectors, leading commercial operations, marine farming programmes, product development and multi-partner projects across Ireland and Europe.
With experience spanning strategy, project management, business development, finance and operational delivery, Lorraine has successfully managed complex publicly and privately funded projects, secured significant investment and funding, and worked with industry, research organisations and government stakeholders.
Her career combines commercial thinking with a practical understanding of food, marine resources and sustainable business. She is particularly passionate about turning innovative ideas into commercially viable projects and building businesses that create both economic and environmental value.
Born in Ostend, Belgium, Jolien Pillu has always had a strong interest in nutrition and health. This passion led her to study Nutrition and Dietetics at VIVES University of Applied Sciences in Bruges, where she completed an internship at Revi Food. After graduating, Jolien pursued a Master’s degree in Health Promotion at Ghent University. Following these studies, Jolien returned to her hometown and joined Revi Food in February 2024 as a Quality Officer, combining a passion for nutrition and food quality.
Born in Ostend, Belgium, Camille Bultynck has always had a strong
interest in nutrition, health and an active lifestyle. This led her to study Nutrition and
Dietetics at UCLL in Leuven, followed by a Master’s degree in Health Promotion at
Ghent University. She then pursued a Master in General Management at Vlerick
Business School, combining her background in health with a broader business
perspective. Camille recently started her first professional role as a Project Manager
at Revi Food in Ostend, where she contributes to product development projects with
a focus on high-quality food, innovation and sustainability.
