Seaweed resources

The macroscopic algae comprising the three major classes Ghlorophyceae (green alga<'), Phaeophyceae (brown algae) and Rhodophyceae (red algae), found mostly in the inter-tidal zone on the rocky coasts, are commonly referred as seaweeds. Recently their use as an industrial raw material in the production of agir and algin has created a great dem nd and attempts are under way to augment the resources by aquaculttire practices. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute is playing a leading role in developing the techniques of seaweed culture in the Gulf of Mannar and Palls Bay. A gross picture of the seaweed resources along the coasts of mainland of India is available (Thivy, 1958; Rao, 1967. 1970).