AwF supports seaweed farming and other sustainable practices

in the tsunami zone of Aceh Province, Indonesia

Kevin Fitzsimmons

AwF Chairman

Indonesia is one of the major seaweed producers in the world. Seaweed farming is widely recognized as one of the most sustainable forms of aquaculture and an opportunity for small-scale producers to grow locally edible crops and to produce commodities, agar and alginates, which are in demand for international trade. The people of Aceh had not been involved with seaweed farming before the tsunami and AwF Volunteers felt that this was an opportunity to assist those impacted to develop a more sustainable aquaculture industry as they rebuilt. Polyculture of seaweeds in shrimp ponds or in the effluent of ponds was one of the Best Management Practices suggested by AwF Volunteers, FAO recovery experts, and the Indonesian Aquaculture Directorate. In 2005, a hatchery and farming manual for Gracilaria, a red seaweed with several commercially attractive aspects, was distributed to 150 farmers at a series of workshops led by AwF Volunteers, Amrit Bart and Kevin Fitzsimmons. The goal of the training was to explain the concepts of nutrient cycling and pond dynamics so that the farmers could see for themselves the benefits of incorporating seaweeds or other plants to absorb the wastes from shrimp. In creating a valuable secondary crop, the farmers also reduce water pollution and increase the sustainability of their shrimp farming practices. The AwF Volunteers also met with hatchery owners and described the potential for providing initial seaweed stocks for farmers to place into their ponds.

 In 2006, AwF supervised the transfer and expenditure of funds originally provided by the YSI Foundation for a project in which two tons of an endemic species of Gracilaria was transported from hatcheries on Java to Sumatra to start seaweed culture. The primary market for the Gracilaria is expected to be for agar; however, AwF Volunteers have also promoted its use as a nutritious sea vegetable for human consumption. Edible seaweeds are an important part of the diet in other regions of Indonesia as well as most East Asian cultures.

A series of trials in four different villages growing Gracilaria in shrimp ponds has demonstrated rapid seaweed growth and improved water quality. At harvest time, we anticipate significantly improved shrimp growth and survival. A commercial agar producer as agreed to visit Aceh in coming months to negotiate purchases of the seaweed now growing in the ponds.

In an ongoing partnership, US-AID has provided support for two scientists from SEAFDEC in the Philippines to travel to Aceh to conduct workshops in the villages growing Gracilaria and to demonstrate back-yard agar production and its use as an ingredient for candies, desserts, and other foods.

 Another aspect of the seaweed culture project was to develop raft culture of Gracilaria in the ocean. Our partner scientists in the Indonesian Department of Marine and Fisheries Resources, Aquaculture Directorate assisted two fishing cooperatives with instruction and provided them with materials for raft construction and placement in protected ocean locations. These rafts initially were quite successful, but one location was later plagued with storm damage and excessive grazing from wild fish and turtles. Economic analyses showed that sales of the seaweed from the rafts could generate income well in excess of what farmers had been generating from shrimp production.

Figures 1 and 2. Seaweed farmers in Aceh, Indonesia

Figures 3, 4. 5 and 6. Seaweed rafts growing Gracilaria

            The YSI-AwF-WAS effort also supported the restoration of three small shrimp hatcheries. In addition to financial and technical support for repairs, the hatcheries were encouraged and trained to consider alternative species for culture in their facilities (tilapia, milkfish, seaweeds, and groupers). They were also provided training in bio-security and encouraged to focus on the endemic species rather than imports of exotic species. Equipment for sustainable collection of wild breeders was provided along with training to improve efficiency and survival of post-larvae (PLs). Provision of high health PLs will be critical to the long-term sustainability of shrimp farming in Aceh and to the development of local and international markets for the shrimp produced.

Figures 7 and 8. Hatchery restoration in Aceh

            Mangrove restoration has been a goal of both the aquaculture community and the environmental NGOs, in the tsunami zone specifically and globally in general. Many tsunami damaged ponds have been replanted with mangroves in order to restore natural functions as well as to serve a role as a biofilter for shrimp effluents. Some farms have also planted mangroves along the pond shallows and on the dikes to support the pond ecosystem and to treat wastes. Provision of substrate for bacterial and algal colonization and shrimp grazing has been promoted by many biologists as contributing to a more sustainable production system. SEAFDEC has published a text on Mangrove Friendly Shrimp Aquaculture which provided several worthwhile examples and technical descriptions. AwF Volunteers have used these documents in their workshops to train the shrimp farmers in the techniques and explain the benefits.

Figures 9, 10, and 11. Mangroves planted in former shrimp pond

Figure 12. Mangroves planted along dike of shrimp pond

            Our partners in the Indonesian Directorate of Aquaculture have provided invaluable technical, linguistic, and logistical support. They are also rightly proud of the science and extension work that has been achieved. In July of 2007, Mr. Sugeng and Mr. Hasanuddin presented results of our collaborations at the Indonesian Aquaculture Conference. In August 2007, Mr. Hasanuddin also presented at the Asia-Pacific Aquaculture Meetings in Hanoi, Vietnam. In each presentation, the donations of YSI and the contributions of AwF were recognized and thanked.

Figure 13. Hasanuddin presenting results at Indonesian Aquaculture Meetings

AwF Volunteers, donated accommodations, and travel on grants provided the synergy to allow the efficient delivery of support to those fish and shrimp farmers most impacted by the tsunami.

            The long-term restoration of the industry will depend most directly on sustainability and the ability to market products meeting sustainable criteria. Several large seafood customers have offered to purchase aquaculture products from the tsunami impacted area as soon as sustainable certifications can be obtained. They are considering both the humanitarian issues of supporting the people and their livelihoods but, just as importantly, they would like to ensure a continuous supply of high quality products for international markets. This would surely be the most encouraging and worthwhile outcome from one of the worst humanitarian and natural disasters in history.