46 MARCH 2017 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG Seaweed Cluster Initiative (ZaSCI-www.zasci.webs.com) (Msuya 2011c). Unfortunately the dissemination and upscaling of these two technologies has not been fully realized because of rough seas during grow-out, leading to breakage of the seaweed and causing loss of the crop. To address the problem of rough seas, another technology called tubular nets (Fig. 3) was developed last year 2015 under a WIOMSA Marine Research Grant (Msuya 2015). In the tubular nets technology, the seaweed is placed inside the nets, minimizing breakage. Specific growth rates (SGR) of 2.1 ± 0.1 percent per day were recorded in the cold season in July. The highest SGR was 12.6 ± 4.7 percent per day recorded during the short rains in September. These results were similar to those obtained in Pemba, where the SGR of Kappaphycus ranged from 6 to 14 percent per day (Msuya 2011). This new technology has high potential to help improve the livelihoods of women seaweed farmers. Considering that these results were from one study, it is important to ascertain the consistency of these results and then disseminate the technology to farmers. Also, to effectively use the technology, women need boats to travel to deeper waters. The women must work together with men in the deep waters, dividing their work accordingly, e.g. women working in the boats and men diving to anchor the nets. Value-Added Technologies Technologies for making value-added products from lower value seaweed were developed during 2006-2009. Women and men farmers in more than 30 villages were trained on how to make value-added products such as seaweed powder, soap, body creams and foods such as juice, jam, cakes, and cookies. The women are selling these products at higher prices. For example, whereas one kilogram of dry seaweed is sold for US$ 0.25, one kilogram of seaweed powder can be sold for US$ 6. Another technology for value addition is extracting the water (sap) from the lower-value seaweed before it is dried (Neish and Msuya 2013). The sap is a good plant growth stimulator and women can use this sap to enhance growth of food crops for increased food production. The sap can also be sold as a commercial product to bring more cash income. Conclusion Women in Zanzibar can use the technology of farming in deeper waters to produce higher-value seaweed while coping with the impact of climate change. It is important to solve the challenges of rough seas and develop more farming technologies to help the farmers, especially women. In addition, in countries like the Philippines and Indonesia, there are many more products that are made from seaweed. If the women of Zanzibar are trained about these, they can produce and market many more products, but site visits and exchange programs are necessary. There is a need to consolidate and disseminate the technology of extracting the sap from lower value seaweed for women to use and market. These technologies have a high potential of improving the livelihoods of women seaweed farmers and those of their family members. Notes Flower Msuya, Zanzibar Seaweed Cluster Initiative, Institute of Marine Sciences, Mizingani Road, P.O. Box 668, Zanzibar, Tanzania, flowereze@yahoo.com References Eklöf, J.S., F.E. Msuya, T.J. Lyimo and A.S. Buriyo. 2012. Seaweed Farming in Chwaka Bay: A Sustainable Alternative in Aquaculture? Pages 213-233 In: M. de la Torre-Castro and T.J. Lyimo, editors. People, Nature and Research in Chwaka Bay, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Zanzibar Town: WIOMSA. Hayashi, L., A.Q. Hurtado, F.E. Msuya, G. Bleicher-Lhonneur and A.T. Critchley. 2010. A review of Kappaphycus farming: Prospects and constraints. Pages 251-283 In: A. Israel, R. Einav and J. Seckbach. Editors. Seaweeds and their Role in Globally Changing Environments, Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology 15. Springer Science, London, England. Msuya, F.E. 2015. Deep water device for farming seaweed: a way of producing the higher valued Kappaphycus for coastal communities in Tanzania. Report Submitted to Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, under MARG I. Msuya, F.E. 2011. Experimental Farming of the Seaweed Kappaphycus in Floating Rafts in Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania BIRR-MACEMP Project Phase II. Consultancy Report FIGURE 2b. Bamboo raft used for seaweed culture. FIGURE 2a. Components of a deepwater floating raft used for seaweed culture.
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