Bali Waters Fit To Cultivate Quality Seaweed

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - The waters around Bali waters are one of six marine areas of Indonesia suitable for the cultivation of commercial grade seaweed that can compete in export markets, Marine and Fisheries Minister  Fadel Muhammad said here Friday.

"Not all waters in Indonesia are suitable for seaweed farming," Fadel said in the company of Ginanjar Kartasasmita who is a member of the presidential advisory board.

In a dialogue with hundreds of seaweed farmers from five groups in Kutuh village, South Kuta sub district, Badung district, the minister explained, in addition to the waters around Bali, there were five areas suitable for seaweed cultivation.

The five areas were West Nusa Tenggara, North Maluku, Maluku, North Sulawesi and South Sulawesi provinces.

The development of seaweed cultivation in the six areas continued to be enhanced without neglecting other areas that also have the potential for seaweed cultivation.

Minister Fadel Muhammad added that his ministry was working with the provincial as well as district/city administrations and the private sector in  encouraging seaweed cultivation.

Hence, 12 seaweed clusters have been built among others those in Sumenep (East Java), Gorontalo, Pangkep (South Sulawesi), Dompu (West Nusa Tenggara), Serang (Banten), Riau Islands and North Minahasa (North Sulawesi).

In the future, cooperatives would be authorized further to cultivate seaweed and export the commodity.(*)