Press Release: 29/8/2022
CEO OF INNOVATIVE SEAWEED GROUP TO ATTEND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S JOBS AND SKILLS SUMMIT
Sam Elsom, the CEO of Tasmanian innovative climate technology company and leading Australian seaweed producer, Sea Forest, has been invited to participate in the Federal Government's Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra on September 1st and 2nd.
A recipient of several Federal and Tasmanian Government grants, Sea Forest is working in partnership with James Cook University and The University of Tasmania to research and expand commercial scale production of its seaweed-based, methane mitigating livestock supplement, SeaFeed with the potential to cut 70% of the country's agricultural emissions.
Mr Elsom said "I will be sharing with the summit how a handful of Australian companies are responding to the need to de-carbonize the economy and are at the forefront of combating emissions reduction, utilising Australian science, pioneering the development of a new green economy and in doing so developing new skills and unique opportunities for the country".
Globally, the quest for emissions reduction has led to the introduction of taxes, tariffs and in regions like the EU and UK a mandated 30% reduction in livestock numbers in order to meet emissions reduction targets. These actions result in unemployment and directly impact food security.
"We are building an incredibly exciting new industry in regional Tasmania, driving investment in science and innovation, regional employment and community development and collaborating with global experts, Australian farmers and progressive retailers to remedy a major problem the world faces. The Federal Government recognizes the growing popularity of our unique seaweed-based supplement, which is proven to cut methane emissions in livestock", added Mr Elsom.
Sea Forest is currently commercializing SeaFeed supplementation with a range of beef, diary and wool companies across Australia and New Zealand, including Fonterra, Australian Agricultural Company and Stockyard.
Sea Forest is building it's Asparagopsis production capacity for the livestock sector following a major 30-hectare property acquisition in Swansea, Tasmania.
The Swansea operation with 660 ponds supplements Sea Forest's marine farming, harvesting and processing operations at its 1,800-hectare marine farm at Triabunna, also located north of Hobart.
With 45 staff, the company is a major employer in the region and is building a workforce skilled for the new economy.
"Attracting and retaining the brightest minds to regional locations is not solely reliant on job opportunity it requires broad investment in supporting amenities such as education, recreational facilities and housing", concluded Elsom.
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