Conclusion and recommendations
Seaweed farming in Western Indian Ocean exist for decades but it was observed that apart from its existance there is insufficient adoption of technological developments. Indicating the need for the regulating authorities to find means to provide farmers with knowledge on modern farming equipment’s for sustainable seaweed farming. There is the need to increase production of seaweeds in WIO to upsurge source of bioactive compounds to be used for different application such as food, medicine and cosmetics. Mostly seaweeds in WIO are sold as raw materials which has low returns, there is the need to add value by converting seaweeds to various products to increase its profitability and thus, stable income to farmers. This initiative may also help increase income to women, as it is among few activities where female participation is more or equal to that of male. Apart from other benefits protection of biodiversity against invasive species should be considered by farming native seaweeds species in WIO. Therefore, it is recommended that educating and motivating societies near the marine ecosystem to engage in seaweeds farming will not only provides income to them but also will be a road towards marine ecosystem management and conservation. Seaweed as producers is key to the sustainable provision of ecosystem services to the marine life. For sustainability of marine ecosystem and reduction of conflicts among stakeholders there is the need to provide knowledge for example on the benefits of coexisting activities such as seaweed farming and tourism. Emphasis should be given to the use of new technologies in farming and protection equipment’s in order to promote health and wellbeing to farmers and workers for greener WIO.