Present status of seaweed exploitation and seaweed industry in India

The survey of marine algal resources conducted by CMFRI along Tamil Nadu coast during 1971-76. The standing crop from the total area of 17,125 ha was estimated at 22,044 tonnes (wet wt.), consisting of 1,709 tonnes of agarophytes, 10,266 tonnes of alginophytes and 10,069 tonnes of other seaweeds. The resources of the commercially important species are 74 tonnes of Gelidiella acerosa, 914 tonnes of Gracilaria spp., 798 tonnes of Hypnea spp., 9,381 tonnes of Sargassum spp. and 714 tonnes of Turbinaria spp. The year to year fluctuation in the quantity of alginophytes landed was due to the variation in the demand of the major algin producing industries based on their supply orders for sodium alginate.