BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Government through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) plans to expand seaweed production to 10,000 metric tonnes by 2026.
Deputy Director of Aquaculture Division of MFMR, Mr Wesley Garofe outlined the proposal during a Ministry’s recent radio programme.
Garofe provided briefed history on this sea plant gold, said seaweed was introduced into the country from Fiji in the early 1990s.
He said it was introduced to Rarumana in Western province and gradually grew among coastal communities in the country.
Wagina in Choiseul province, Lau in Northeast Malaita, Shortland, Small Malaita, West Kwara’ae Ngella and Russell, Marau and other places on around the country.
Garofe emphasised seaweed farming provides option for coastal communities as another sources of income.
He added seaweed farming provides options for coastal communities as another sources of income. And Wagina is the most productive site in the country.
It produces almost 70 percent of the total seaweed products going out of country.
Saying 30% of the production comes from other sites in the country.
In the meantime, Garofe also said MFMR is aware of the situation recently experienced at Wagina, where seaweed farms destroyed by tsunami.
He said MFMR is working on it and soon will send a team to determine the sale of damage and allow Ministry to draw up plan to respond to the situation. The program aims for the recovery of the damage.
Garofe mentioned that as part of pursuit to achieve the 10,000 metric tonnes, national government through MFMR will continue to support seaweed development in the country.
“The government through MFMR will continue to support existing farmers with farming materials and training as well as start-up materials for new farmers,” he said.
Garofe called on coastal communities in the country that seaweed farming program is ongoing and encouraged interested farmers to go into the development.
“The process is to express your interest in submission to the provincial fisheries office or to the MFMR headquarter or even consult staff at the office,” Garofe said.