Seaweed resources in the developing countries of Asia: Production and socio-economic implications

Abstract

The bulk of world seaweed production today comes from developed countries in the temperate region, including Japan, China, and Korea. The seaweed production potentials in the developing countries of Asia will have to be explored to meet the increasing world demand. Extensive shallow and farmable reef areas as well as cheap labor highly favor seaweed production. Harvesting from natural stocks is unreliable; efforts should thus be directed toward actual farming of seaweeds. In the Philippines, development of the farming technology on Eucheuma alvarezii and E. denticulatum significantly increased production by the middle of the 70 s. Harvests of Eucheuma from farms and other seaweeds from natural stocks now rank third among the fishery exports of the country. The socioeconomic implications of the development of the seaweed resources in the developing countries of Asia are discussed. The Philippine experience is cited specifically to show the benefits derived from seaweed farming technology.