Women sustain seaweed cultivation in Indonesia

NUSA PENIDA, Indonesia (MNTV) — On the sun-kissed shores of Nusa Penida, Indonesia, women are fighting to preserve a centuries-old tradition: seaweed cultivation. As climate change threatens to disrupt their delicate balance with the sea, these women are adapting and innovating to ensure their livelihoods and cultural heritage endure, reports Mongabay. 

Nyoman Mitri has been cultivating seaweed for years, but she’s noticed a significant change in recent times. “It never used to be like this,” she says, referring to the increasing rainfall and storms that damage her seaweed crops.

The increasing frequency of storms and changing rainfall patterns are disrupting the seaweed cultivation process. “More frequent storms and unpredictable rainfall patterns are disrupting our practices,” Mitri explains. 

“When there is more rain, a large portion of the crop dies, and we have to remove the damaged seaweed from the lines more quickly and more often.”

Indonesia is one of the biggest seaweed producers in the world, exporting both raw and processed seaweed products. In 2021 alone, Indonesia produced an estimated 9 million metric tons of seaweed valued at more than $1 billion, making the country the seventh-largest exporter of agar and sixth-largest exporter of carrageenan globally. 

These components, derived from seaweed, are widely used as stabilizers, thickeners and gelling agents in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. 

Determined to preserve their traditions, women like Mitri work with tour operators to share their knowledge with tourists, who are increasingly interested in learning about sustainable practices.

The women are also partnering with NGOs to support conservation and coral reef restoration efforts. In Nusa Penida, seaweed farmers have shared their planting techniques with coral restoration teams, helping to develop new methods for transplanting coral species.

As climate change continues to shape the world, the demand for seaweed is expected to grow. Indonesian women are at the forefront of this industry, leading 40% of the country’s seaweed start-ups. 

All seaweed species have an optimal temperature, pH and salinity range. Storms bring large influxes of freshwater, altering the pH and salinity of the local marine environment. For seaweed, this leads to stress, higher vulnerability to disease and viruses, and ultimately death.

In addition, tourism development often means clearing mangroves to build hotels and villas. This removes natural erosion protection and increases runoff, making seaweed growth even more vulnerable to drastic precipitation changes.