Andaman gets training in seaweed farming

The emerging seaweed farming industry in the country will get a major boost with the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) recently transferring seaweed cultivation technology to the Andaman administration.

• The CMFRI has provided scientific inputs on methods of seaweed farming suitable for the islands as part of the institute’s initiative to intensify its consultancy services.

Why Andaman was selected?

A feasibility study conducted in the seawater-inundated areas in south Andamans by a team of CMFRI scientists revealed that these regions had good prospects for seaweed farming. Also, aimed at avoiding environmental disruptions, the CMFRI selected the coastal areas devoid of coral reefs.

Background:

Seaweed cultivation is perceived as one of the most environmentally benign types of mariculture. Seaweeds are of immense industrial, human and agricultural value. They gained prominence during 13th century, after the discovery of agar-agar in Japan and Alginic Acid in European continent.

What is seaweed cultivation?

Seaweed farming is the practice of cultivating and harvesting seaweed. In its simplest form, it consists of the management of naturally found batches. In its most advanced form, it consists of fully controlling the life cycle of the algae.

Seaweed cultivation in India:

In India, agar-agar gained importance as seaweed chemicals during the Second World War. After the advent of Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI), commercial technologies for agar-agar, alginic acid, Carrageenan and LSF, the importance of seaweed wealth on Indian coast especially South Indian coast has been greatly realised. Consequently, a systematic study on seaweed resources assessment in South Indian coast has been carried out jointly by Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute and Central Marine Fisheries Institute and the Department of Fisheries, Government of Tamil Nadu.

The surveys conducted in this connection revealed the vast hidden wealth of seaweeds from this region which has a great bearing on the future of seaweed based industries in India.