Director
Member Organisation: Fremantle Seaweed
Chris de Cuyper is the co-founder and Managing Director of Fremantle Seaweed, a company that grows the red seaweed Asparagopsis which has been proven to lower methane emission from cattle when added as a feed supplement. Fremantle Seaweed’s 32ha aquaculture lease in Owen Anchorage was approved by DPIRD in November 2022 with trial crops of Asparagopsis and other seaweeds grown over the last two years. Along with Asparagopsis, Fremantle Seaweed will grow 15 types of local seaweed varieties for carbon sequestration, bioplastics, fertiliser and as “vegan caviar.”
Chris has a passion for the ocean and loves nothing more than being out on his boat. Through Fremantle Seaweed he plans on making a significant impact on the effects of climate change whilst respecting the Fremantle fishing heritage by showing how aquaculture operators can coexist and thrive alongside commercial fishing operators.
Chris started his career as an electrician in the mining industry before moving into construction project management. Founding Fremantle Seaweed in 2020, Chris has been on a steep learning curve in the aquaculture industry but with his proven project delivery record and passion for the ocean, Chris will provide an energetic voice to ACWA that respects the responsible development of the aquaculture industry whilst representing the new opportunity of seaweed aquaculture in WA.
Chris will advocate for a hatchery and nursery facility to supply 1,000’s of km of seeded substrate of Asparagopsis for grow out at an ocean lease. The model of the Albany Shellfish hatchery of a government funded facility with a commercial operator that can contract to grow to the wider industry would work well for WA aquaculture operators.