Seaweed Farming

Shellfish farmers in Santa Catarina now have another important income alternative. On Thursday, the 24th, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) authorized the commercial cultivation of the macroalgae Kappaphycus alvarezii along the coast of Santa Catarina. This product, highly valued in the pharmaceutical and food industries, can also be cultivated alongside oysters, mussels, and scallops. This will be another exclusive market for Santa Catarina.

"More good news for agribusiness in Santa Catarina. Throughout 2019, we held several discussions with the Environmental Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, the Secretariat of Aquaculture and Fisheries, and Ibama to get approval for macroalgae cultivation in Santa Catarina, and today we are seeing the results. Shellfish farmers in our state will now have another source of income,” celebrated Ricardo de Gouvêa, Secretary of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development for the State of Santa Catarina.

Ibama’s regulatory instruction authorizes the commercial cultivation of Kappaphycus alvarezii between the municipalities of Itapoá and Jaguaruna. Researcher Alex Alves dos Santos, from the Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Center of Epagri (Cedap), explains that the decision opens up the possibility for diversification in marine farming, increased profits for producers, and greater employment and income generation in traditional coastal communities.

“In addition to these benefits, perhaps the greatest contribution is environmental, since seaweeds form the base of the aquatic food chain and absorb nutrients from the water to promote their growth, supporting marine life. With this authorization, the coming years will bring much work for Epagri, UFSC, and especially for the shellfish farmers, who together will be building a new production chain in the history of Santa Catarina’s agribusiness,” he emphasized.

Due to its gelling, thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying properties, Kappaphycus alvarezii is used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, and textiles.

Seaweed Research in Santa Catarina

Studies on the cultivation of macroalgae in Santa Catarina began in 2008 through a partnership between Epagri and the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). Epagri/Cedap currently operates two experimental farms for Kappaphycus alvarezii in the municipalities of Penha and Governador Celso Ramos, and negotiations for production approval were resumed last year.

Shellfish Farming in Santa Catarina

Santa Catarina is the largest producer of mollusks in Brazil. There are 565 shellfish farmers across 11 municipalities, generating around 2,000 direct jobs. In 2017, production reached approximately 13.7 thousand tons of mussels, oysters, and scallops.

The state is the only one in the country to conduct continuous monitoring of cultivation areas. The State Program for the Hygienic and Sanitary Control of Mollusks is one of the key management and safety measures in the production chain, providing assurance and security for both producers and consumers.

Source: Epagri