WEBVTT

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The brown seaweed, <i>Undaria pinnatifida</i>,
native to Japan, was introduced

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to the Southern Hemisphere in the 1980s.

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It is a fascinating,
fast-growing seaweed that is typically

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found in shallow coastal waters down
to depths of approximately 20 metres.

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If we take a closer look,
you’ll notice it’s comprised of a large

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ruffled sporophyll, commonly known as
mekabu, towards the base the plant.

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This is the reproductive part
of the seaweed, and interestingly,

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contains more fucoidan than the blade.

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The blade, commonly known as wakame,
can reach lengths of up to 2–3 metres.

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Marinova harvests this introduced pest
seaweed from the pristine waters here

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in Tasmania, Australia,
and also from Patagonia in Argentina.

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Let me provide you with some insight
into our wild harvest process.

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Marinova only harvests <i>Undaria</i> from sites
well away from sources of human,

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industrial, or agricultural contamination.

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Harvesting the highest quality seaweed
allows us to produce the world’s highest

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quality fucoidan with
certified organic status.

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Professional local divers work together
in small teams in remote areas

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of Tasmania and Patagonia.

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The water temperatures are cool and divers
must often wait for favourable

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weather conditions.

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Once in the water,
the divers locate the <i>Undaria</i> and remove

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the entire plant from the sea
floor using a knife.

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Both the sporophyll and the blade are
collected and utilised by Marinova.

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The divers continue to work methodically,
filling their catch bags before

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returning to the surface.

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These bags of fresh <i>Undaria</i> are then
quickly transported to a local

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processing facility.

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At the processing facility,
the seaweed is inspected for any foreign

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objects such as shells or crustations.

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Technicians then carefully separate
the sporophyll from the blade.

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Both parts of the seaweed are then
sun-dried to preserve their unique

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bioactive compounds, including fucoidan.

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Once dried, the seaweed
is crushed and stored.

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It is transported to Marinova’s fucoidan
extraction facility in Tasmania,

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where it will undergo the unique
Maritech® extraction process.

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The end product,
Maritech® Organic Fucoidan,

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is the world’s only high-purity,
certified organic fucoidan

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with global regulatory acceptance.

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Maritech® Organic Fucoidans offer
versatility, efficacy,

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and stability for a wide range of
applications, from capsules, tablets, 

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and bulk supplement powders,
through to medical devices

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and pharmaceutical research.

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They are also popular in innovative
skincare formulations

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and animal health products.