Recent status of Gracilaria cultivation in Taiwan

The red algal species Gracilaria is an important source of agar. It has been cultivated in Taiwan since 1961 but in the last few years the value of Gracilaria production has decreased. The reasons for this were examined using statistical records and interviews with local fishermen. In 1986-1987 many...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrobiologia 1993-01, Vol.260 (1), p.335-338
Main Authors: Ajisaka, T. (Kyoto Univ. (Japan). Div. of Tropical Agriculture), Chiang, Y.M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CULTIVO DE ALGAS
CULTURE D'ALGUES
GRACILARIA
Haliotis diversicolor diversicolor
Marine
Penaeus monodon
SEAWEED CULTURE
TAIWAN
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Summary:The red algal species Gracilaria is an important source of agar. It has been cultivated in Taiwan since 1961 but in the last few years the value of Gracilaria production has decreased. The reasons for this were examined using statistical records and interviews with local fishermen. In 1986-1987 many Gracilaria polyculture ponds were transformed to monoculture ponds to grow grass shrimps (Penaeus monodon) but disease in the shrimps stopped their production and Gracilaria culture started again. Previously Gracilaria production was exported or processed for agar in Taiwanese factories. The algae were harvested, sun-dried, sorted and packed. Due to manpower shortages Gracilaria farmers now prefer to sell their crops to abalone farmers and not to agar factories. The value of algal crop production decreased as Gracilaria as abalone feed is cheaper than for algal production. Gracilaria polyculture in Taiwan can easily and rapidly change to other crops according to economical factors.
ISSN:0018-8158
1573-5117
DOI:10.1007/BF00049037