66 



holdfasts and, where such substrate does exist, to the highly turbid 

 nature of most coastal waters along the east coast. 



Further, the normally higher temperatures we find in the in- 

 shore waters during the summer months along the New York 

 coastline could well inhibit the growth and reproduction of macro- 

 cystis. 



Thus, there are several important questions concerning selection 

 of optimal feedstock organisms on the east coast. First, what pro- 

 duction of biomass can be anticipated from native seaweeds? Two, 

 how does their production compare with that of macrocystis on the 

 west coast and is the quality of the material appropriate for effi- 

 cient production of methane? 



Three, given the above information, should the introduction of 

 macrocystis to the east coast be considered? This is an important 

 question because it considers not only the relationship of macrocys- 

 tis to energy production, but also the fundamental issue of the 

 introduction of an exotic plant species to the inshore coastal ecosys- 

 tem of the east coast. 



Could macrocystis be controlled if it is introduced? What, if any, 

 hazards would its introduction pose? How would its productivity on 

 the east coast compare with its productivity on the west coast? Will 

 macrocystis withstand the seasonal temperature, nutrient, and tur- 

 bidity regimes of the east coast? 



These are the questions that need to be answered to select the 

 appropriate feedstock organisms for the east coast biomass farm- 

 ing. 



As I mentioned, the sea grant Institute has initiated preliminary 

 work in this area. This experimental work is being performed by 

 faculty and staff of the Marine Sciences Research Center at the 

 State University of New York's Stony Brook campus. 



Marine Sciences Research Center offers the most complete re- 

 search capability within the State in the fields of biological, physi- 

 cal, chemical, and geological oceanography. As the program moves 

 toward the development of small-scale test farms, engineering guid- 

 ance on the design of the test and prototype farms may be provided 

 by faculty from the Schools of Engineering at the State University 

 at Buffalo and Cornell who have been doing related research under 

 sea grant auspices. 



The staff of the Long Island Regional Planning Board who have 

 been deeply involved in aquaculture studies have agreed to address 

 some of the social and legal problems and opportunities stemming 

 from the introduction of this type of facility into the coastal waters 

 of the State. 



What are the potentials for the east coast? It seems reasonable to 

 assume that preliminary screening of a number of indigenous spe- 

 cies can be accomplished within a year. The future direction of the 

 programs in New York will depend heavily on the results of that 

 screening process. While no clear pathway presents itself, there are 

 a number of interesting alternatives. 



Alternative No. 1 we envision being a low technology alternative. 

 This alternative might result if some of the floating seaweeds such 

 as Sargassum or Fucus — the latter is also known as rockweed — 

 were to prove sufficiently productive to be of economic significance. 

 If these species would vegetatively reproduce and could be cultured 



