As mentioned above, some Eucheuma plants which were almost dead were used for testing. The plants were transported to a better location on the reef flat near the laboratory building built for the sea cucumber project (northern end of Gamu Island). After one week in the new environment and using the new technology introduced by the consultant, the Eucheuma propagules recovered and continued to grow normally by showing improved color and luster. After 12 days, the propagules were re-weighed and then the growth rate was computed. The average growth rate of both the cottonii and spinosum was 4.28% per day. This is an indicator that productivity is very high on the reef flats of Laamu Atoll and confirms that this site is very good for Eucheuma farming. It simply means that the weight of the propagules doubles every 15 days and that one kilogram of propagules per net-bag will produce 2 kg net harvest in one month. If we translate this yield on a per hectare basis, one hectare Eucheuma farm with an initial stocking density of 20 mt will yield 40 mt of wet harvest in one month which is equivalent to 5 mt of dry seaweeds. If the price per metric ton of Eucheuma is US$ 500/mt, then the gross income per hectare per month is US$ 2,500. The productivity of the Eucheuma on the Laamu Atoll may still increase after the seedlings full recovery from stress and when they are acclimatized in the net-bags.
Almost all plantable sites for Eucheuma in several islands of the Laamu Atoll meet the environmental suitability criteria. Compared to other countries which are growing the Eucheuma in commercial volume such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Tanzania, the Maldivian reef flats are a much better environment for Eucheuma cultivation. The positive factors are: (1) no tropical typhoon, (2) negligible sedimentation problem, (3) high organic and inorganic nutrients on the reef flats due to upwelling, (4) strong tidal currents on the reef flats between islands and breaks in the barrier reefs and (5) low tidal amplitude (less than one meter) which makes it possible to work on the seaweed farm even during high tides (high productivity factor). During high tides, the height of the water is only about one meter compared to more than three meters in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The perceived problem is the presence of so many fish grazers. However, this problem can be controlled by using appropriate technology and by Frequent Tender Loving Care (FTLC) by the farmers.
There are also good prospects for social acceptability and marketability criteria. The local people need a new type of livelihood in addition to fishing. Seaweed farming will keep the family together, a very desirable social acceptability factor. Maldives is closer to the big seaweed processing plants than all other seaweed-producing countries in the world. This is a big advantage in terms of freight and handling costs. There is a big world market for raw seaweed which is increasing at the rate of about 15% annually while the supply sector has levelled off or even showed some decline due to some problems in the seaweed producing areas such as in the Philippines. Production of raw seaweeds in other areas such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Tanzania also did not increase. Meanwhile, other markets are opening up such as China and India, which will increase the demand for this commodity.
Technology is the only imported item. However, by importing the seaweed farming technology, the Maldives will have the opportunity to develop an export industry without detriment to the marine environment. Therefore, the development of the seaweed farming industry should be a top priority for the government of the Maldives.
The method developed by the consultant during his long years of experience, is the most advanced seaweed farming technology available . This technology resulted from the research objective of “determining the one best way” initiated by FMC - Food Ingredients Division in 1994–1995. FMC-FID is the biggest producer of carrageenan (from seaweeds) in the world. This method is superior because of the following technical innovation:
Resistant to propagule losses due to competition of other green and brown algae.
Other technical advantages are:
High quality product. The seaweeds are clean, and maturity can be controlled through proper harvesting schedule.
This method is recommended as the most suitable for Eucheuma culture in the Laamu Atoll. Annex 1 contains a detailed description of the “Floating Net-Bag Technique”.
The pilot farm should be established on the reef flats at the northern end of Gamu Island, starting expansion from the test station of Eucheuma (near the laboratory building) towards the barrier reefs. The approximate available area in this site is five (5) hectares. The substrate of this proposed pilot farm is generally covered by sea grass (Thalassia). A one-hectare pilot farm can be developed within six months by just starting with a 200-kg initial seedstock which can be bought from the Philippines. Seedstock should be split at least once a month until the 20-metric-ton is attained. Two well-trained technicians should work full-time in order to achieve this objective. The budget and layout procedure in establishing the one-hectare pilot farm are attached to this report as Annex 2 and 3. Further details are in the descriptive part of the technique (Appendix 1).
Additional planting materials needed for the establishment of the pilot seaweed farm should be bought from the Philippines since these materials are manufactured there. The fast-growing variety of cottonii should also be ordered from the Philippines. MOFA should take the decision as to the size of the pilot farm, which will depend on the budget set aside for this project. However, the consultant recommends establishing a one-hectare pilot eucheuma farm. At this juncture, the project management should also make a decision as to which project component to prioritize sea cucumber or seaweed culture.
Clean methods should be used for sun-drying seaweed harvested wet and for packaging dried seaweed in commercially acceptable forms, for both local processing and export. Local materials should be utilized in the construction of sun-drying platforms. Combination of wild trees , bamboos, coconut petioles, and coconut leaves can be used in making the drying platforms. The drying platform (just like the drying platform for drying fish) is elevated approximately by one meter, one meter wide, and any convenient length. The floor should be slatted by means of coconut petioles arranged about two inches apart. A plastic net should be placed at the top of the platform to prevent small-sized seaweed from dropping through the slats. The slatted drying platforms are preferred because they allow air to circulate above and below the seaweed, which helps in the drying process. The seaweeds, if not removed from the grow-out units, can also be dried by hanging them for 2–3 days, but they still have to be finish-dried on the drying platforms. The wet harvest must not be dried on the sand or on the ground because sand and dirt will stick to the seaweeds. A spare plastic sheet or canvass (about 3 m. wide) can be used in covering the seaweeds in case of rain. A well-dried, exportable quality seaweed should have a moisture content of about 30% and should be free from dirt and other extraneous weeds. Plastic sacks are used for local packaging. When properly packed, one sack should weigh sixty (60) kg. For export purposes, seaweed must be baled by means of a mechanical baler. Each bale should weigh 100 kg, and 200 bales should be loaded in a 24-foot container van. Most seaweed buyers will specify a load of not more than 20 mt per container. It is very important that the Government of the Maldives should plan on how to market seaweed. It is true and highly possible that the local people can produce seaweed but there should be a ready market for their product. The participation of the private sector who will buy, process, and export the raw seaweed should be encouraged. They will be the traders. Since the minimum shipment volume of this commodity, when exported, is one container-load (18–20 mt), the trader needs about US$20,000 just for one load. However, it takes a long time to assemble one container load, and this will depend on the number of farmers planting the seaweeds. Another approach is to encourage investments in seaweed farming. Investors should have a marketing contract with the big seaweed processors and other small processors. There is a big market for raw Eucheuma in the world waiting to buy seaweed from whoever can produce a big volume at a reasonable price, provided the material has good quality and is delivered on time. The Government of the Maldives might also try to write to the big seaweed processors and invite them to produce in the Maldives the seaweed they need for their factories . This is being done by other multinational corporations such as Del Monte, Dole, Stanfilco, etc. who produce pineapples, bananas, and tomatoes. Of course, the government of the Maldives should offer good conditions to these corporations to encourage them to invest in the country.
The consultant was requested to also provide information on the progress of the sea cucumber project component. As reported by the sea-cumber consultant, the basic structure of the laboratory building was already finished as of December 1995. He had recommended that the work for the installation of the water system and the filtration system should be initiated so that this would be ready before his next visit by the end of May. This work has not yet started. Other works necessary are the construction of tanks and tank holders. This, too, has not started.
