Mass Production of Marine Macroalgae

Abstract

Macroscopic marine algae, or seaweeds, form an important living resource of the oceans as primary producers. People have collected seaweeds for food, both for humans and animals. They also have been a source of nutrient-rich fertilizers, as well as a source of gelling agents known as phycocolloids. More recently, macroalgae play significant roles in medicine and biotechnology. Today, seaweed cultivation techniques are standardized, routine, and economical. Several factors, including understanding the environmental regulation of life histories and asexual propagation of thalli, are responsible for the success of large-scale seaweed cultivation. Different taxa require different farming methodologies. During the last 50 years, approximately 100 seaweed taxa have been tested in field farms, but only a dozen are commercially cultivated today. Of these, only five genera ( Laminaria, Undaria, Porphyra, Eucheuma/ Kappaphycus, and Gracilaria ) represent around 98% of the world’s seaweed production.