The kelp Lessonia variegata J. Agardh (Lessoniaceae) is a potential aquaculture target for bioactive compounds. We investigated the control and management of Lessonia gametogenesis, the settlement and retention of sporophytes on various culture strings, and the upscaling of string settlement for field trials. In the laboratory we held gametophytes at low light conditions for 2.5 months before altering conditions to stimulate t...

Mercury is a ubiquitous pollutant of global concern but the threat of exposure is not homogenously distributed at local, regional, or global scales. The primary route of human exposure to mercury is through consumption of aquatic foods, which are culturally and economically important in the wider Caribbean Region, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). We compiled more than 1600 samples of 108 unique species of...

A field study of Lessonia variegata growing in depths of 8–10 m on the south coast of Wellington, New Zealand investigated morphometric and biomass indices measured on destructively harvested entire algae, rates of blade elongation measured in situ using a blade hole punch technique, and timing of fertility over a 2‐year period. Blade fertility was estimated using a fertility score based on the visual appearance of the reprodu...