Farming the arorosep

By Roberto Garcia 

DID you know that the soft and succulent green seaweed arorosep, which is a popular salad complement for grilled fish and meat, can be cultured in fishponds and at the sea bottom?

Scientifically called Caulerpa lentillifera, it is usually collected from natural stocks nationwide, but a big volume is cultured commercially in Cebu. Here in Pangasinan, it grows naturally in the coastal waters on the western side, particularly in Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos and Sual.

This species has a big market as a fresh vegetable, especially in Metro Manila and other urban centers, and is being exported to Japan and to some Western countries.

So can this seaweed be cultured in Pangasinan waters?

There is a potential for this seaweed to be grown in Pangasinan because of the fact that it grows naturally in the area. Actually the cost of farming is minimal since some seaweed cuttings are basically what are needed for planting in ponds or in sea bottoms, plus an occasional intensive labor.

The critical factors for the successful culture of this arorosep are the proper water quality and the right type of the substrate. In fishponds, the pond design is modified to achieve an efficient water management. On the other hand, farming in the sea requires the correct site selection where water and bottom conditions are suitable for growth.

After two months when the plants form a uniform growth on the bottom, they can be harvested, washed, packed and transported to markets. The fastest method of delivery from farm to market is necessary to ensure the freshness of the product. For export, the fresh seaweed is transported by air cargo or brine-cured to extend its shelf life.

Seaweed farming is one the most appropriate livelihood project for coastal communities since it requires minimal investment due to the availability of indigenous resources and cheap labor.

Moreover, the high market demand ensures that farmers will get a reasonable profit.

Finally, it is a big boost to the protection of the environment since the technique is ecologically safe, which is a prerequisite to the sustainability of the endeavour.

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