Circular and lower impact mussel and seaweed aquaculture by a shift towards bio‐based ropes

Abstract

Worldwide, current mussel and seaweed aquaculture practices contribute to the increase of fossil fuel-based plastic gears at sea, leading to marine litter and microplastics generation. Smart aquaculture has a great potential for shifting towards the use of lower impact bio-based and biodegradable gears. This review defines the value chain of biogears as more sustainable gears for mussel and seaweed aquaculture, and sustainability issues covering technology, environmental impacts, economy-market, policy, and social drivers for their potential implementation. Fit to purpose durability and functionality attributes, end-of-life (EoL) options and environmental benefits are key features for competitiveness of biogears versus conventional fossil fuel-based aquaculture gears. EoL management for collection, sorting and logistics of biogears to recycling facilities is needed for the up cycling of bio-based materials thus ensuring application of principles of circularity. The selection of the biopolymers for recyclability, improvement of the polymerisation and recycling processes together with the enhanced deployment of recycling facilities are considered as key factors for eco-designing of circular biogears. Current policies supporting bio-based plastics in marine applications and social benefits, as environmental sustainability, healthy products, and circular business opportunities, are likewise added value for the development and use of biogears. Overall, biogears can reduce environmental negative impacts in mussel and seaweed productions, while enabling circular use of bio-based materials and sustainable circular bioeconomy.

Seaweed: a sustainable solution for greening drug manufacturing in the pursuit of sustainable healthcare

“…Seaweed-based biodegradable packaging materials offer a sustainable solution to the plastic waste problem. They harness the renewable and abundant properties of seaweed, providing biodegradability, barrier protection, and compatibility with existing manufacturing processes [168]. Choosing seaweed-based packaging reduces reliance on fossil fuel-derived plastics, minimizes environmental pollution, and contributes to a more sustainable future [169].…”

The Impact of Micro- and Nanoplastics on Aquatic Organisms: Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress and Implications for Human Health—A Review

“…Using bio-based and/or biodegradable polymers may reduce plastic waste and MPs entering aquatic environments. The bio-products include different materials, like polylactic acid (PLA) or polybutylene succinate (PBS) (biodegradable in industrial composting conditions at temperatures higher than 50 • C), polystarch or cellulose composites, and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polyesters of natural origin, accumulated in the form of intracellular granules by a wide variety of bacterial strains during unstable growth circumstances [207,208]. PHB belongs to the family of PHA, and its accumulation has been demonstrated in several cyanobacteria [1,2,209].…”

“…The disposing of polymers different from PHB is expected to have additional negative environmental impacts on their life cycles, giving PHB further environmental benefit [213]. However, the utilization of these materials should be limited in aquatic environments due to the little data available on their functionality or durability [207].…”

Issues and Needs for the Sustainable Development of Shellfish Farming in Italy

“…Environmental sustainability is the category in which most studies are currently available. Among the most frequently addressed aspects must be cited the impacts of ongoing climate change on the industry and its mitigation strategies [20,21], the best practices for the reduction of shellfish farming's environmental impact [22][23][24], the effects of contaminated water on production (i.e., from microplastics or different agents) [25,26], the study of the shellfish farming-environment mutual relationship, the ecologic role of mussels and their ecosystem services [24,[27][28][29][30], and analysis performed through life cycle assessment (LCA) [31,32].…”