Report on the training course on seaweed farming

The importance of seaweeds as a marine resource has recently been emphasized due to the increasing demand for them as food and raw materials in the manufacture of industrial colloids, e.g. agars, carrageenan, and alginates which find varied uses in industries. In addition, the production of seaweeds through culture is now recognized as a very productive alternative source of livelihood and employment especially in developing countries in tropical Asia where a large portion of the shallow coastal fishery resources have been or are being depleted. With some exception, the present seaweed production in the tropics comes from the harvesting of wild stocks which if not regulated can result to the depletion of these stocks. Thus, it is necessary that culture and management of local stocks should be developed for the economic species to enhance and maintain their productivity. 

The farming and gathering of economic species of seaweeds are labour-intensive form of activities which can help increase employment opportunities among the coastal communities and thus play an important role in enhancing their socio-economic conditions. The general ecology and productivity of shallow subtidal areas have been shown to greatly improve upon the introduction of seaweed farming. Additionally, the introduction of a management scheme for the gathering of local stocks shall also help conserve them. 

The training of fishery extension workers, farm managers, and future seaweed farmers in the practical methods of culturing economic speices on Eucheuma, Gracilaria and Caulerpa, will promote further expansion of seaweed farming; on the inventory and assessment of local stocks of useful seaweeds shall promote and enhance the productivity and conservation of these species. It is for these reasons that this regional training was organized and implemented. 

This training course was designed to develop and promote qualified expertise in seaweed farming to help in food production, provide cash crops and open new alternative employment to enhance the socio-economic welfare of coastal communities as well as offer practical training on seaweed farming and management of natural stocks of economically important seaweed species; improve technical knowledge about seaweeds and acquire practical skills in seaweed farming techniques, processing and marketing. 

The course consisted of lectures and field training on the culture of Eucheuma, Caulerpa and Gracilaria, assessment and rational utilization of natural stocks of ecomomic species such as Sargassum, post-harvest and quality control of the produce and field study visits to existing farms. Basic lectures on the biology and ecology of seaweeds as well as methods on the identification and preparation of seaweed materials for research were also included as background information.