WHAT ARE THE MAIN ASPECTS OF THE USE OF EDIBLE SEAWEEDS IN GUIMARAS ISLAND, PHILIPPINES? - CASE STUDY

Abstract

Guimaras is a small touristic island situated between Panay and Negros islands in the Western Visayas. Its coastal waters are endowed with rich marine resources, including seaweed, which has become the coastal community’s source of food, livelihood, and employment. This study aimed to determine the diversity, abundance, production and marketing practices of edible seaweeds in Guimaras Island, Philippines in the areas where recreation is set as well. Respondents were the 275 members of Seaweed Farmers Associations in the municipalities of Sibunag and Nueva Valencia using a researcher-made questionnaire. Seaweeds grown were not so diversified, only Cottonii brown, green and barako; and the Spinosum, green and brown. Cottonii-brown and green were the most widely grown seaweeds in the coastal barangays of Sabang, Sebaste and San Isidro in Sibunag and Panobolon in Nueva Valencia. The husbands mostly did production practices from site selection to harvesting and marketing, while wives took charge of recording, receiving, and keeping sales, cleaning, and maintenance. Challenges faced by seaweed growers include ice-ice disease, washed-out and untimely harvests, lack of drying equipment and buyers dictating prices of products.