Name
Sieve kelp
Agarum clathratum
Type
Brown algae
Other names
Sea colander
Kitchen name
Sieve kelp, sea colander
Resource status
Not a cause for concern
Consumption season
Fresh in late spring.
Processed year-round.; generally, as a dried product.
SIZE:
Up to 2 m long and 50 cm wide.
LIFE EXPECTANCY:
5 to 6 years.
LIFE CYCLE:
To reproduce, sea colander releases spores that generate organisms called gametophytes. These then produce male and female reproductive cells. When they meet, a new sea colander is formed.
Coastal zone, between 10 and 40 m depth, or deeper when the water is sufficiently clear to ensure its development. It is therefore the deepest algae that you will encounter.
PREYS:
CO2
Solar energy
PREDATORS:
Herbivorous molluscs
Grazing fish
A strange colander
The numerous holes in its frond improve nutrient exchanges by increasing water turbulence against the leaf surface. These holes are, in fact, what has earned it the name sea colander.
MACHINES:
Hand harvesting.
REGULATIONS:
Permit required. Cut the colander with a sharp object, without tearing off the base.
Sieve kelp is a Smarter seafood-listed species.
BENEFITS:
Sea kelp is said to have antioxidant potential.
LET’S COOK:
Sea colander is mainly used to prepare broths. Dried and flaked, it is used as a seasoning, for example in veggie pâté.
It has a rather sharp taste and acts as a natural flavour enhancer.
The waters of the St. Lawrence are known for their good quality. However, as algae absorb the elements present in the water to grow, it is preferable to ensure that the harvesting site is clean before eating this species fresh.
This project was made possible through funding from Digital Museums Canada and the participation and collaboration of Université Laval.
© 2025 A Wave of Flavours
