Report on Survey of Marine Algal Resources of Tamilnadu 1971 - 1976

This report brings out the marine algal resources of the Tamil Nadu coast as the outcome of the Marine Algal Survey undertaken during 1971-76 as a co-ordinated project by the three organisations a Department of Fisheries, Government of Tamil Nadu, The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute and the Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute. The survey was conducted both intensie ely covering all the marine algal species and extensively covering a wide coastine in the intertidal and sub - tidal beds. Though found in moderate quantities in comparison with the rich seaweed in the world,the marine algal resources estimated now are found to be quite considerable.

In spite of the fact that some of the economic seaweeds have been commercially exploited from this region,there is still a possibility for greater harvesting and utilization of the brown algae particularly the species of Sargassusm and Turbinaria for alginate industry and the species of Gracilaria for agar industry in our country, However,resources of Gelidiella aceros need to be conserved. The scope for harnessing other available marine algal resources and their proper utilization, say for extractives, fertilizer, etc. are indicated .