“…Ulva species should, in theory, be ideal cultivation candidates given their cosmopolitan distribution (Kirkendale et al, 2013), very high growth rates (Bruhn et al, 2011), and broad environmental tolerances (Luo & Liu, 2011). However, previous studies (for example, Oza & Sreenivasa Rao, 1977;DeBusk et al, 1986;Ale et al, 2011;Castelar et al, 2014) have experienced difficulty in maintaining Ulva species in the vegetative state. The formation and release of reproductive cells effectively terminates Ulva growth and leads to a disintegration of part or all of the thallus, dramatically reducing Ulva productivity (Oza & Sreenivasa Rao, 1977).…”