Bull Kelp

Durvillaea potatorum & Durvillaea amatheiae (Bull Kelp)

Bull Kelp refers to cold-water kelp species from the genus Durvillaea. Recent research found two species in Tasmania—Durvillaea potatorum and Durvillaea amatheiae—where only one was previously thought to exist (Weber et al., 2017). Both species live along Tasmania’s coasts (except the north coast), but D. potatorum is the only one found around King Island. All Durvillaea species need rocky habitats and wave-exposed areas; D. potatorum is typically found in the mid to lower intertidal zone, while D. amatheiae tends to occupy the lower intertidal and shallow subtidal zones (Velásquez et al. 2020).

Beach-cast Bull Kelp is harvested as part of the Tasmanian Marine Plant Fishery, primarily on King Island and in the Marrawah and Granville Harbour areas of the west coast. Harvesting is done by hand, with occasional use of winches or mechanical harvesters. The kelp is air-dried and may be further processed into granules or liquid fertilizer. It is used in products such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, food, and clothing (Velásquez et al. 2020).

Assessment of the Tasmanian Marine Plant Fishery by the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is available here: