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Review
. 2020 Nov 16;18(11):560.
doi: 10.3390/md18110560.

Invasive Seaweeds in the Iberian Peninsula: A Contribution for Food Supply

Diana Pacheco  1 , Glacio Souza Araújo  2 , João Cotas  1 , Rui Gaspar  1 , João M Neto  1 , Leonel Pereira  1
Affiliations
Review

Invasive Seaweeds in the Iberian Peninsula: A Contribution for Food Supply

Diana Pacheco et al. Mar Drugs. .

Abstract

The introduction of exotic organisms in marine ecosystems can lead to economic and ecological losses. Globally, seaweeds represent a significant part of these non-indigenous species (NIS), with 407 introduced algal species. Furthermore, the presence of NIS seaweeds has been reported as a major concern worldwide since the patterns of their potential invasion mechanisms and vectors are not yet fully understood. Currently, in the Iberian Peninsula, around 50 NIS seaweeds have been recorded. Some of these are also considered invasive due to their overgrowth characteristic and competition with other species. However, invasive seaweeds are suitable for industrial applications due to their high feedstock. Hence, seaweeds' historical use in daily food diet, allied to research findings, showed that macroalgae are a source of nutrients and bioactive compounds with nutraceutical properties. The main goal of this review is to evaluate the records of NIS seaweeds in the Iberian Peninsula and critically analyze the potential of invasive seaweeds application in the food industry.

Keywords: edible seaweeds; food industry; marine invasions; non-indigenous seaweed species; nutritional value.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Seaweed (Pyropia sp.) pie with carrot and coconut.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Agarophyton vermiculophyllum collected in an aquaculture fish tank at Ria de Aveiro (Portugal).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Underwater photography of Grateloupia turuturu in Buarcos Bay (Figueira da Foz, Portugal).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Underwater photo of Asparagopsis armata in São Martinho do Porto (Portugal).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Underwater photo of Asparagopsis taxiformis in Terceira island (Azores archipelago -Portugal).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Colpomenia peregrina in São Martinho do Porto (Portugal).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Sargassum muticum in Buarcos Bay (Figueira da Foz, Portugal).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Undaria pinnatifida in Buarcos Bay (Portugal).
Figure 9
Figure 9
Underwater photography of C. racemosa in the Spanish islands.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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