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.