Seaweed farming in Bangladesh’s maritime areas holds significant economic potential, according to speakers at a workshop hosted by USAID’s Enhanced Coastal Fisheries in Bangladesh (ECOFISH II) of World Fish Bangladesh. They emphasized that seaweed can supply raw materials for the pharmaceutical and livestock feed industries, reduce carbon emissions, and contribute to greenhouse gas reduction.
Despite Bangladesh’s 710km coastline with 25,000 square kilometres of coastal land and suitable climatic conditions, the country lags in seaweed production. USAID’s ECOFISH II, in collaboration with partners like Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Science University, has developed floating seaweed farming technology in Cox’s Bazar, aiming to enhance production, build climate resilience, improve livelihoods, and conserve aquatic biodiversity. The project has also created a habitat suitability map for different seaweed culture systems. Additionally, collaboration with Noakhali Science and Technology University has resulted in ready-to-use seaweed powder, offering promising market opportunities. Stakeholders, including government organizations, research institutions, and public-private sectors, need to work together to ensure the sustainability of seaweed initiatives.
Source for more details:
