Red seaweeds, such as dulse and Irish moss, are highly sought after throughout Europe and prized for their appealing flavor and texture. They are high in protein and contain abundant antioxidants and phytochemicals while remaining low in unfavorable bio-available elements (e.g. iodine and arsenic) found in other seaweed species. Yet, to date, the vast majority of these products are wild harvested, which threatens coastal environments due to overharvesting and results in price volatility.

Aquaculture cultivation of these species is hindered by their complex reproductive biology and consequential difficulty in producing sufficient juveniles for farm plant outs. Perhaps understandably, then, very little is known regarding the environmental tolerances of these algal species and what conditions, whether in tanks or at sea, will provide an optimal growth environment. The nascent seaweed aquaculture industry is eager to grow red seaweeds, but has no reliable access to a supply of juveniles, or even a good understanding of how doing so may differ from practices with other more familiar species like kelp.