- The word “seaweed” is used to talk about many types of plants and algae that live in water, not just the ocean.
- It includes different kinds of macroalgae from the red, brown, and green algae families. Some types, like planktonic algae, are important for gathering carbon and making over half of the Earth’s oxygen.
- Certain seaweed, such as kelps, is vital for creating safe spaces for fish and other marine animals, protecting their food sources.
CHARACTERISTICS
- Seaweeds are simple plants without distinct tissues like roots, stems, or leaves; instead, they have leaf-like structures.
- In areas like the intertidal and shallow subtidal zones of the sea, you can find larger seaweeds attached to rocks and corals.
- There are also microscopic seaweeds, like phytoplankton, which play a crucial role in marine food chains and float in the water.
- Some seaweeds, like kelp, can be massive and form underwater “forests” in the sea.
- These can be compared to underwater redwoods.
- Most seaweeds are of medium size and come in various colors like red, green, brown, and black.
- They can wash up randomly on beaches and shorelines.
DISTRIBUTION
- Brown algae, such as kelps and fucus from the Phaeophyceae family, are common seaweeds.
- They are not typically found in tropical waters but are abundant in cooler regions.
- Kelps, particularly Macrocystis and Nereocystis species, can be among the largest algae, reaching lengths of up to 33 meters (100 feet) in the Pacific and Antarctic.
- Laminaria, another type of kelp, is widely distributed along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
- In areas like the Gulf Stream and the Sargasso Sea, you can find floating clusters of Gulfweed, known as Sargassum.
- Seaweeds classified as red algae (Rhodophyta) include laver, gelidium, and dulse (Palmaria palmata or Porphyra).
- Along rocky Atlantic shores, the lower half of the zone exposed at low tide is covered in various Chondrus species, including Irish moss (C. crispus).
SEAWEED FARMING
- Seaweed farming, also known as kelp farming, involves growing and harvesting seaweed.
- In its simplest form, it includes managing naturally occurring batches, while in its more advanced version, it involves full control of the algae’s life cycle.
- The top seven most cultivated seaweed types are Eucheuma spp., Kappaphycus alvarezii, Gracilaria spp., Saccharina japonica, Undaria pinnatifida, Pyropia spp., and Sargassum fusiforme.
- China, Indonesia, and the Philippines are the leading producers of seaweed, with other notable contributors being South Korea, North Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and Zanzibar (Tanzania).
- Seaweed farming is seen as a way to improve economic conditions while also reducing fishing pressure and the overexploitation of fisheries.
- The volume of farmed aquatic plant production increased from 13.5 million metric tonnes in 1995 to over 30 million metric tonnes in 2016. In 2014, seaweed accounted for 27% of global marine aquaculture.
SIGNIFICANCE
- Seaweeds play a vital role in marine ecosystems, serving as essential components.
- They provide nutrients and energy as the initial link in marine food chains, either directly when consumed or indirectly when decomposed sections become tiny particles consumed by filter-feeding animals.
- Seaweed beds serve as shelters and habitats for various coastal species, acting as nurseries for commercial species like rock lobster, abalone, and green-lipped mussel.
- Seaweeds derive their nutrition through photosynthesis, using sunlight and nutrients in seawater.
- They release oxygen and provide organic nutrients to diverse marine life.
- Additionally, seaweeds act as bioindicators for ecological conservation, revealing environmental health and pollution levels.
- When pollutants are dumped into the ocean, creating nutrient imbalances and causing algal blooms, seaweeds absorb excess nutrients, contributing to ecosystem stability.
- These aquatic plants also serve as iron sequesters, capturing excess iron during photosynthesis to prevent harm to marine life.
- Similarly, seaweeds trap and eliminate a significant portion of heavy metals found in marine ecosystems.
- For humans, various seaweeds offer nutritional and medicinal benefits.
- They contain anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial compounds with known medicinal properties for thousands of years.
- Some seaweeds may contain potent cancer-fighting chemicals, showing promise for the treatment of tumors and leukemia.
- Seaweed is rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and can also be a tasty addition to the human diet.
CHALLENGES
Challenges in seaweed farming include:
- Labor Shortages: There is insufficient labor during the paddy transplanting and harvesting seasons, making it challenging to manage seaweed farming.
- Livelihood Insecurity: Poor pay and unpredictable weather conditions contribute to insecurity in livelihoods for those involved in seaweed farming.
- Technological Gaps: The lack of advanced technologies hampers the enhancement of processed seaweed goods, affecting the overall efficiency of the industry.
- Raw Material Source Knowledge Gap: There is a lack of knowledge about new and alternative sources of raw materials for seaweed farming.
- Risky Retrieval: Seaweed retrieval, especially from depths exceeding 25 to 30 feet, is risky and poses challenges in terms of safety and efficiency.
- Low Market Demand: The market demand for seaweed products is lower, and there is a lack of government assistance to boost the seaweed industry.
- Overexploitation Issues: Overemphasis on seaweed harvesting rather than farming has led to overexploitation of India’s diverse seaweed resources.
- Lack of Dietary Knowledge: The population’s inability to shift to a healthier diet, including seaweed, is hindered by a lack of knowledge about its benefits. Increasing awareness about the nutritional advantages of seaweed is crucial for its wider acceptance.
SEAWEED MISSION
The Seaweed Mission aims to boost the nation’s economy by promoting commercial seaweed cultivation and processing. The anticipated actions include:
- Model Demonstration Farms: Creating model demonstration farms larger than one hectare along the Indian coast for economically significant seaweed cultivation.
- Seaweed Nurseries: Establishing seaweed nurseries to provide seeds for large-scale farming of commercially valuable seaweeds nationwide.
- Edible Seaweed Processing: Developing and showcasing methods for processing edible seaweed, including recipes that align with consumer preferences or local culinary customs.
- Value and Supply Chain Development: Working on the development of value and supply chains for seaweed products. This involves gathering information on the social, economic, and environmental impacts of seaweed projects across the nation.
The Seaweed Mission focuses on creating a comprehensive approach to seaweed cluster development, aiming to integrate various aspects of seaweed cultivation and processing to contribute to economic growth and sustainability.
FAQs about Seaweeds
Q1: What does the term “seaweed” encompass?
A: The term “seaweed” refers to various plants and algae found in water bodies, including rivers, lakes, and oceans. It includes macroalgae from red, brown, and green algae families.
Q2: How do seaweeds contribute to marine ecosystems?
A: Seaweeds play a crucial role by providing nutrients and energy as the primary link in marine food chains. They also serve as shelters and habitats for coastal species, acting as nurseries for commercial species.
Q3: What are the characteristics of seaweeds?
A: Seaweeds are simple plants without distinct tissues like roots, stems, or leaves. They have leaf-like structures. They can be found in various sizes and colors and may wash up on beaches.
Q4: Where are brown algae, such as kelps, commonly found?
A: Brown algae like kelps are common in cooler regions and are not typically found in tropical waters. They can be found in the Pacific, Antarctic, Atlantic, and other coastal areas.
Q5: What is the significance of seaweed farming?
A: Seaweed farming, or kelp farming, involves growing and harvesting seaweed to improve economic conditions, reduce fishing pressure, and prevent overexploitation of fisheries.
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