Sustainable Seaweed Farming
The growing popularity of seaweed farming in Indonesia offers significant opportunities to increase economic income, improve food security, conserve marine biodiversity, and empower women across the value chain. However, poor farming practices and unpredictable climate conditions pose risks to these benefits, highlighting the need for sustainable management, innovative technologies, and effective adaptation strategies.




Innovative Solutions for Sustainable
Seaweed Farming
Seaweed farmers in the Kupang Bay Marine Protected Area and surrounding regions face challenges in maintaining year-round cultivation due to fluctuating seawater temperatures and salinity levels. To address this, farmers are adopting adjustable seaweed lines, allowing them to grow seaweed at varying depths and reduce the risk of Ice-Ice disease, a common issue during the wet season. Traditionally, farmers rely on floating lines, which restrict seaweed farming to the dry season when water conditions are more stable and the seas are calmer.
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To improve resilience, anchored pod systems have been introduced to withstand wet season waves and turbulence. These systems use buoys made from recycled plastic, securely attached to prevent detachment even in rough seas. In contrast, conventional floating structures often rely on plastic bottles, which frequently break loose, adding to the region’s significant plastic pollution. Currently, an estimated 900 tons of plastic waste pollutes Kupang Bay, contributing to high levels of microplastics in the water.
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Additionally, innovative seaweed seedling cages are enabling farmers to cultivate high-yielding seaweed varieties that align with market demand and the unique environmental conditions of Kupang Bay. These advancements not only improve productivity but also support more sustainable and environmentally friendly seaweed farming practices in the region.