Farming Seaweed (Kappaphycus)

Green *Kappaphycus* (*Kappaphycus striatus*)

Brown *Kappaphycus* (*Kappaphycus alvarezii*)

Why Kappaphycus?

Kappaphycus, a red seaweed locally known as ‘guso’ or ‘tambalang,’ constitutes eighty percent of the Philippines’ seaweed export (BAS 2015). It is also one of the top three marine-based export of the country. As an aquaculture enterprise, seaweed farming has been proven to be a top foreign exchange earner. Likewise, it can provide alternative livelihood for coastal farmers. Kappaphycus may be eaten but it is predominantly used as source of carrageenan which has a wide range of uses as an emulsifier, binder, gelling and thickening agent in food and non-food products.

How to culture Kappaphycus?

Culture Methods

There are two methods for deep-sea culture of Kappaphycus:

A. Raft method (single) ‒ one unit is composed of four bamboos arranged in a square shape.

Install 10 m x 10 m bamboo raft at the farming site.
Tie seedlings (50 g/point) to polyethylene rope (PER) #8 using strawlace while at the shore. Distance between seedlings is 25 cm.
Tie the rope to the bamboo raft.

B. Hanging long line – used in exposed deep-water areas (5-10 m deep) with moderate to strong water movement. However, this method needs a good support system by installing concrete anchors.

a. Single hanging long line

1. Tie seedlings (50 g/point) to 100 m-long PER (#8). Distance between seedlings is 25 cm.
2. Anchor one cultivation line on both ends with bamboo stake.

b. Multiple hanging long line (1/2 ha = 4,500 m)

1. Follow the same procedure in the preparation of seedlings for single hanging long line.
2. Arrange both ends of several cultivation lines in parallel rows.
3. Tie to PER (#8) and anchor to the bottom with a concrete block.

Harvesting

Seaweeds are harvested for drying after 50 days of culture. They can be harvested in two ways:

Untie the seaweeds from the cultivation rope.
Bring bamboo raft to the shoreline and untie seaweeds.

Post-harvest Management

Clean the harvested seaweeds and remove: (a) non-Kappaphycus seaweeds, (b) silt and sand, and (c) other foreign particles.
Set aside planting materials for next cropping (e.g. 1/2 ha = 900 kgs).
Dry remaining seaweeds in hanging line or spreading out on the ground with drying mats or platforms.
Store dried seaweeds in a clean, cool, dry and well-ventilated place. For bigger volume and export purposes, store seaweeds by baling (stocking of seaweeds in sacks).

Is Kappaphycus FARMING profitable?

Technical Assumptions for Multiple longline method

Project duration (years)	5
Culture period (days)	50
Number of crops per year	5
Farm area (m²)	5,000
Space between lines (m)	1
Length of a cultivation line (m)	30
Number of lines per 1/2 ha	150
Number of knots/line	120
Total number of knots in 1/2 ha	18,000
Initial weight of seedlings/knot (g)	50
Initial total weight (kg) of seedlings	900
Cost of planting materials (PhP/kg)	20
Growth rate (percent/day)	5.0
Expected weight of harvest (kg fresh weight/crop)	10,964
Expected weight of harvest (kg fresh weight/year)	54,821
Farmgate price of dried seaweeds (PhP/kg)	35
Initial weight of seedlings for four croppings (kg)	3,600
Fresh to dry weight ratio (kg)	7:1

Cost and returns analysis (PhP per year) (as of 2017)

Investment cost	72,950
Revenue	328,105
Total variable cost	101,050
Total fixed cost	30,014
Total cost	131,064

Economic indicators

Net income (PhP)	197,041
Return on investment (%)	270
Payback period (years)	0.35
Break-even price (PhP/kg)	16.74
Break-even production (kg/crop)	3,745

Reference:
SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department. (2017). Seaweed Kappaphycus farming [Brochure]. Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines: Author.

Need ASSISTANCE?

Get a copy of our manuals!

	*AEM 32 The farming of the seaweed Kappaphycus* (2000) 26 pp** Anicia Q. Hurtado, Renato F. Agbayani A 24-page manual that introduces the carrageenan-producing seaweed Kappaphycus whose culture has spread from Jolo in Mindanao to at least 14 sites in the Visayas and Luzon. Four culture methods are presented: fixed off-bottom, raft long-line (single or multiple), hanging long line, and polyculture of seaweeds with carnivorous fishes. Download here Each print copy costs US$3
	*Pag-aalaga ng halamang-dagat na Kappaphycus* (2007) 24 pp** Anicia Q. Hurtado, Renato F. Agbayani The Filipino version of the manual AEM 32 The farming of the seaweed Kappaphycus released in 2000. Download here Each print copy costs US$3
	Seaweeds of Panay, 2nd edition (2006) 50 pp Anicia Q. Hurtado, Maria Rovilla J. Luhan, Nicholas G. Guanzon Jr. This practical book on the seaweeds in Panay, Philippines, acquaints and provides information to members of the academe and research institutions, policymakers, fishermen and businessmen regarding the taxonomy, distribution, ecology and economic importance of these resources. Each copy costs US$5
	*Seaweed Kappaphycus* Farming (2017)** The brochure contains information on Kappaphycus grow-out culture. Download here

Check out our online bookstore for more titles: www.seafdec.org.ph/bookstore

Attend our hands-on training!

Seaweed Farming training course at SEAFDEC/AQD’s Tigbauan Main Station.

View training brochure

To apply, kindly contact:

Training and Information Division
(63-33) 330 7030
training@seafdec.org.ph

Check out our training schedule: www.seafdec.org.ph/training