Tube-net seaweed farming takes root along AP coast

SEAWEED farming is gaining momentum in the Andhra Pradesh coastline as an emerging livelihood and sustainable marine practice that boosts coastal productivity.

- DHARMENDRA REGANA @Visakhapatnam

Known as the 'Medical Food of the 21st Century', seaweed offers health benefits and industrial uses ranging from pharmaceuticals to food additives.

Despite its potential, commercial seaweed farming in India's open seas remains limited due to strong wave action and environmental factors. Traditional bamboo raft-based monoline farming, suitable for shallow, calm waters, often fails in rougher coastal areas.

To overcome this, scientists have developed a tube net-based farming method using floating high-density polyethylene (HDPE) rafts with a multipoint mooring system.