Comparison of two cultivation methods for domesticating wild red algal eucheumatoids for use in the seaweed industry

A study of Eucheumatoid seaweed cultivation methods Semporna, East Malaysia. Seaweed farming supports coastal livelihoods in Malaysia but relies on old, genetically uniform Kappaphycus clones, increasing vulnerability to pests and diseases which in turn is exacerbated by climate change.

Two cultivation methods, tie tie and basket net, were tested for wild eucheumatoids from four sites. Tie tie cultivation produced higher growth rates, while basket nets improved survival by reducing grazing and detachment. Surviving wild strains show potential as resilient new commercial cultivars.