Sea Weeds: Nutritional Powerhouse From The Ocean

The Sea weeds industry in India is emerging as a sustainable sector with applications in food, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and biofuels. It supports coastal livelihoods, promotes blue economy growth, and contributes to environmental conservation.

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Context: India’s seaweed farming sector is projected to expand to Rs 3,277 crore over the next decade. Currently, it is valued at Rs 200 crore.

About Sea Weeds

Sea Weeds are marine algae found in coastal environments, including intertidal zones and shallow waters.
They are classified into three main groups: green (Chlorophyta), red (Rhodophyta) and brown (Phaeophyta) algae.
Seaweeds serve as a crucial food source for various marine animals, including Herbivorous Fish, Sea urchins, crabs, snails, Manatees etc.

Benefits of Sea Weeds

Carbon Sequestration: Sea Weeds absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere, contributing to climate change mitigation. They help to lower ocean surface CO₂ levels.
Habitat Creation: Seaweed beds provide essential habitats for various marine species, enhancing biodiversity
Culinary Uses: Sea Weeds are consumed directly as food (e.g. nori, kombu)
Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics: Extracts from seaweeds are used in many products for their thickening and gelling properties.
Biofuels: Seaweeds can be processed into biofuels, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels without requiring arable land or freshwater.
Animal Feed: Incorporating seaweed into livestock feed can reduce methane emissions from ruminants, contributing to more sustainable farming practices.

Facts

Seaweed is found along the entire Indian coast, and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
There are around 844 species of seaweed in Indian waters. India has the highest number of seaweed taxa compared to other countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
Tamil Nadu produces the highest amount of seaweed.
The Indian government is promoting seaweed cultivation as part of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
Seaweed Mission launched in 2021 is a program by the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) to commercialise seaweed farming and processing in India.