Coastal Community Perspectives on Seaweed Farming
Photo by Francesco Ungaro
Seaweed farming can have many positive impacts on coastal communities, boosting women empowerment and contributing towards economic resilience.
Recently, seaweed cultivation has become a major alternative source of income, generating livelihoods for a number of coastal inhabitants in countries around the world. Having a high return on investment compared with fishing, seaweed can play a huge role in fighting climate change by absorbing carbon emissions, regenerating marine ecosystems, creating biofuel and sustainable plastic alternatives as well as generating marine protein.
Up until now, seaweed has traditionally been farmed for food in Asia, with China as the world’s biggest producer of seaweed, accounting for 60% of the world’s volume. Over the past decade, we’ve seen a pivot towards global seaweed production. As interest on the uses of seaweed beyond a food source continues to grow, i.e. as carbon sinks, there will likely be an increase in research on its role on coastal communities and the livelihood opportunities it could bring to the harvesting supply chain.
It is estimated that for plots of approximately one-hectare, net income from seaweed farming was five to six times the minimum average wage of an agricultural worker. By understanding its potential to uplift the socio-economic status of marginalized coastal populations, international development agencies are starting to take notice of its potential, promoting seaweed farming in many places such as Indonesia, Philippines, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico and elsewhere.
Seaweed farming
Seaweed farming is a relatively simple process and requires low initial capital investment, especially since the growth cycles are as short as six weeks and with favorable prices, it provides a rapid and high return on investment.
Although seaweed farming does have its own unique set of challenges, tropical storms, invasive species, diseases and market price fluctuations, seaweed is incredibly resilient and able to regenerate quickly.
For local communities where seaweed farming is taking off, there are a lot of questions around how seaweed could enhance livelihood opportunities and bring value to the communities and locals in charge of harvesting it.
The following case studies will dive into its impacts to better understand how community members feel about this new trend and its potential.
Let’s first go to The Philippines.
The Philippines
Commercial seaweed farming began in the Philippines in the 1970s and has grown to be one of the country’s most significant aquaculture enterprises, supporting more than 200,000 coastal families. In Palawan communities, seaweed farming plays a significant role in protecting marine life, giving small farmers power in the fight against illegal fishing in particular. Although, the climate crisis is putting this to the test. Warmer waters are making seaweed farms more vulnerable to pests and diseases, threatening the survival of the industry and the families that depend on it.
Balintang, PHILIPPINES — “Seaweeds are important to me because they give me joy when we plant them,” says Melinda Gimotea, as she crouches down among the pile of seaweed seedlings under her stilt house on the southwestern coast of the Philippines’ Palawan province. Facing the teal blue sea on a fine July morning, the 55-year-old ties the olive-green plant cuttings to ropes with floaters, each spanning 25 meters (82 feet).
In her village, Balintang, seaweed farming builds a sense of community and strengthens family ties, as it gives opportunities for community members to connect with each other, Gimotea says: “It’s a time when we get a chance to bond with my neighbors, with my family.”
Madagascar
In Madagascar, members of the community of Belo-sur-Mer – primarily women have taken up the challenge of village aquaculture.
“I had no future before seaweed farming. My sons had left the village, and I could not support myself because I am too old to fish. Now there is a way to make a living, and not just for me. People have hope that they can live here for a long time to come.” – Madame Tunisia
Due to the decline of fish stock again, Blue Ventures supported the community members of Belo-sur-Mer and the surrounding area to find an economic activity other than fishing that would allow them to live off the sea more sustainably. The result was red seaweed farming, which is known as Cottonii, which is a valuable texture agent in the food and cosmetic industries.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, the traditional practices of seaweed harvesting for kai (food) and Rongoā Māori (medicine) have been a source of important spiritual and physical connection to the moana for Māori. The seaweed, and the coastal ecosystems they help sustain, also provide important ecosystem services that support tourism, employment, and recreational fishing for this community.
Tanzania
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) first arrived in Tanzania in 2006, partnering with local communities and the Tanzanian government to protect the country’s most ecologically important areas, including where seaweed is grown. The challenges for Tanzanian seaweed aquaculture include the unsustainable use of mangroves as seaweed stakes, damage to seagrass, and warming water that is causing increased occurrences of disease and low production. Without intervention, the seaweed industry could be severely impacted.
Protecting these environments and supporting seaweed aquaculture, especially by partnering with local women, has been essential in conserving the waters and wildlife. A project doing just that is happening in Unguia and Pemba Islands, part of the Zanzibar archipelago, a very biodiverse region.
“I am happy to participate in the new training program. Local women seaweed farmers are excited to gain insight into how to improve our seaweed production, so we can earn more for our families but also look after our environment.” Says Sada Himidi Selemani, a member of the Tumbe village’s seaweed farmers group.
Studies showthat seaweed farming led to a profound shift in gender relations in a country where communities have traditionally been patriarchal. Therefore, the inclusion of local women in harvesting processes can bring on a larger shift, lifting the role of women in their societies.
Conclusion
These are just a few examples of the potential livelihood benefits of seaweed and the way it has contributed to community development around the globe. But what about tourism? What role can seaweed play in tourism development?
Voluntourism. Voluntourism activities that involve tourists in seaweed harvesting and processing could set a destination apart, giving workers an extra set of hands with tourists in return being able to take part in a one of a kind experience.
Culinary experiences. Featuring seaweed as a local food source has the potential to stimulate gastronomy and food tourism.
Tours and expeditions. Tourists could take part in seaweed expeditions and tours of the processing facilities while learning about the community’s role in seaweed farming.
This is just a snapshot of the potential for seaweed to be a catalyst for community development and sustainable job creation. The opportunity for growth is vast with countless economic, social and environmental benefits for the communities that take part in the supply chain.
Sea Going Green is a sustainable tourism consultancy that supports the integration of nature-based solutions into coastal development strategies that lead to healthier oceans and sustainable livelihoods.