What is asparagopsis seaweed and why does it matter for reducing cattle methane emissions?

Asparagopsis is a native red seaweed whose feed additives have been shown to cut cattle methane emissions by over 80 percent, a figure supported by CSIRO research and commercial trials conducted by Fremantle Seaweed off the coast of Western Australia. Methane from livestock digestion is one of agriculture's hardest emissions problems, and asparagopsis represents one of the few scientifically validated solutions at commercial scale. The challenge is not the science; it is growing enough seaweed, reliably and cheaply enough, to supply an entire industry.

How does Fremantle Seaweed grow asparagopsis differently from its competitors?

Fremantle Seaweed cultivates asparagopsis on lines in the ocean rather than in onshore tanks, which keeps production costs lower and allows the company to grow both a warm-water and a cold-water variety year-round along the Western Australian coast. That year-round growing window is a genuine competitive advantage: operators working with a single variety or a single growing season cannot match it. The company is currently scaling from a 32-hectare pilot toward a planned 3,000-hectare operation in Cockburn Sound, giving Western Australia a clear head start in the global asparagopsis supply chain.

Why did Third Hemisphere invest in Fremantle Seaweed as its first venture investment?

Third Hemisphere's venture arm was built on a specific thesis: back founders who have a scientifically proven solution to a real problem and the drive to bring that solution to market at scale. Fremantle Seaweed, led by founder Chris de Cuyper, passed both tests, combining CSIRO-backed science with an active commercial growing operation. Third Hemisphere also brought something most investors do not: years of communications and positioning expertise that early-stage climate companies need as much as capital, allowing the investment to combine balance sheet support with strategic communications from day one.

How does Third Hemisphere support climate and agri-tech companies beyond providing capital?

Third Hemisphere structures its venture investments to stay close to the businesses it backs, helping shape how founders tell their story to farmers, investors, and regulators, not just providing funding and stepping back. In the case of Fremantle Seaweed, that meant combining the agency's communications and positioning capabilities with direct investment, so both sides of the business could be built simultaneously. Third Hemisphere's Managing Director Jeremy Liddle visited the Fremantle Seaweed farm in person to maintain that close working relationship, reflecting a broader commitment to showing up at the moments that matter.

What makes a climate or agri-tech communications partner effective, and how do you choose the right one?

The most effective communications partners for climate and agri-tech companies combine deep sector credibility with the ability to translate complex science into clear narratives for multiple audiences, including farmers, institutional investors, and regulators. Third Hemisphere differentiates itself by sitting at the intersection of strategy, creativity, and influence, and by backing the companies it advises through its venture arm, which means its communications work is informed by direct operational knowledge rather than a briefing document. Founders like Chris de Cuyper at Fremantle Seaweed benefit from a partner that understands the science, the commercial model, and the investor landscape at the same time.

What is the typical timeline for a strategic communications engagement with a climate or agri-tech company?

Third Hemisphere typically structures engagements across a minimum six-month term, with a fortnightly WIP cadence, monthly reporting, and a quarterly review to assess progress against agreed milestones. For early-stage companies like Fremantle Seaweed, the first phase focuses on building the foundational narrative, identifying the right media and investor audiences, and establishing consistent key messages across every channel. Longer-term programmes, often 12 to 24 months, are common where the company is managing a multi-stage capital raise, regulatory engagement, or market expansion across Australia and Singapore.

What does a strategic communications programme for an agri-tech or climate company typically cost in Australia?

Third Hemisphere's strategic communications programmes for agri-tech and climate companies are priced as a total fee for the agreed term, payable in monthly instalments, with the investment reflecting the scope of channels, markets, and stakeholder audiences in play. A focused programme covering earned media, investor communications, and content across a 12-month term typically starts from a total fee of AUD 84,000, payable in monthly instalments of AUD 7,000, while programmes spanning multiple markets, regulatory engagement, and venture-backed positioning are scoped accordingly. Third Hemisphere recommends a discovery conversation to align the scope with the company's current stage, capital timeline, and commercial objectives before any fee is confirmed.

A Day on the Water With Fremantle Seaweed