ISSUE #1 | SEPTEMBER 2026

A Note From The Chair: Building Momentum for Australian Seaweed

There is growing recognition of the opportunity Australian seaweed presents, not only as an emerging aquaculture industry, but through its contribution to agriculture, food security, regional development and Australia's blue economy.

Recent industry events have reinforced both the scale of that opportunity and the work still needed to realise it. At Marine BioConnect 2026, collaboration, industry coordination and regulatory reform were recurring themes, alongside the need to support businesses as production moves towards commercial scale. These are priorities ASSA is actively working on.

Over recent months, we have continued to engage with government, industry and research partners, advocate for clearer pathways for Australian seaweed production, and build practical resources through Seaweed Central. For an emerging industry, having a strong collective voice matters. It allows us to raise the issues individual businesses cannot solve alone, help shape research and investment priorities, and ensure the experience of industry is represented in the decisions that affect its future.

There is significant opportunity ahead. Our focus now is helping create the conditions that allow Australia's seaweed industry to realise it.

Professor Catriona Macleod - Chair, Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance

EOI's FOR ASSA BOARD NOW OPEN

Help shape Australia’s seaweed industry - Join the ASSA Board

As the peak body representing Australia’s emerging seaweed industry, ASSA's mission is to accelerate the growth of a sustainable, profitable and world-leading seaweed sector that delivers economic, environmental and social benefits for Australia.

If you’re a values-driven leader with experience and expertise that can contribute to this goal, or know someone who could, we encourage you to find out more and share this opportunity with your networks.

Expressions of Interest close 23 October.

Tackling one of the industry's biggest barriers

One issue continues to come through clearly from across the sector: complex and lengthy regulatory pathways remain a significant barrier to industry development. Seaweed production in Australia crosses state and federal jurisdictions, with requirements that vary depending on where and how businesses operate. For emerging growers, navigating these pathways can take considerable time and investment.

ASSA is working on this from several directions: - Making the pathways clearer. Governance and regulatory requirements for growers, processors, product applications, domestic sales, imports and exports are being brought together through Seaweed Central. - Taking industry experience to government. ASSA is engaging with government to move the conversation from general awareness of the industry towards the specific changes needed to support its development. - Building evidence for change. The difference between the published approval process and what applicants actually experience provides important evidence for regulators and policymakers.

Have you recently been through a seaweed permit, licence or approval process? We’d like to hear about your experience. Contact us at: members@australiansustainableseaweedalliance.com.au

Seaweed Central: practical resources for a growing industry

Seaweed Central is the industry’s shared reference point, bringing practical information, resources and tools together in one place.

• The Permit Portal brings state and federal requirements together, with a starting point for each jurisdiction, so new entrants aren’t working out the regulatory map from scratch.
• Reports and resources bring together the 15 project reports from the DAFF and FRDC-funded portfolio, including the red seaweed hatchery manual, which provides a practical guide for new farmers and a model for cultivating other species.
• Learn and Inspire is built for educators, journalists and people new to the industry, and is a useful place to send anyone wanting to understand what seaweed aquaculture actually involves.

More members. More impact. Have your say in the future of Australian seaweed

Australia's seaweed industry is creating new opportunities for businesses, communities and the wider economy. Realising that potential will take a strong, coordinated industry voice. ASSA brings people across the sector together to influence policy and industry priorities, help shape research and development investment, share knowledge and support the sustainable growth of the industry.

For 2026/27, ASSA has significantly reduced its membership fees, so more organisations and individuals across the sector can take part.

Full Corporate Membership will be $550 + GST per year - for organisations that want a direct voice in the industry's development. Full members can vote, nominate representatives to the ASSA Board, help shape ASSA priorities and access member resources and opportunities.

Affiliate Membership | $175 + GST per year - for those who want to stay connected to ASSA's work, industry developments, networks and selected member resources and benefits.

Membership opens shortly. Register your interest now and we'll let you know the moment it's live, so you're first in line to join at these new rates.