SEAWEEDS AND MICROALGAE: AN OVERVIEW FOR UNLOCKING THEIR POTENTIAL IN GLOBAL AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT

ivABSTRACTAlgae, includingseaweeds and microalgae, contribute nearly 30 percent of worldaquaculture production (measured inwetweight), primarily from seaweeds. Seaweeds andmicroalgae generate socio-economic benefits to tens of thousands of households, primarilyin coastal communities,includingnumerous women empowered by seaweed cultivation.Various human health contributions, environmental benefits and ecosystem servicesofseaweeds and microalgaehave drawn increasing attention to untapped potential of seaweedand microalgae cultivation. Highly imbalanced production and consumption acrossgeographic regions implies a great potential in the development of seaweed and microalgaecultivation.Yetjoint efforts of governments, the industry, the scientific community,internationalorganizations,civil societies,and other stakeholdersorexperts are needed torealize the potential. This documentexamines the status and trends of global algaeproduction with a focus on algae cultivation, recognizes the algae sector’s existing andpotential contributions and benefits, highlights a variety of constraints and challenges overthe sector’s sustainable development, and discusses lessons learned and way forward tounlock full potential in algae cultivation and FAO’s roles in the process. From a balancedperspective that recognizes not only the potential of algae but also constraints andchallenges upon the realization of the potential, information and knowledge provided bythis document can facilitate evidence-based policymaking and sector management in algaedevelopment at the global, regional and national levels