Ray Smuts
INTERNATIONAL trade in seaweed, worth around R50 billion US dollars a year, came under the spotlight last week when the International Seaweed Association held its 17th annual conference in the Mother City - the first ever on the African continent - hosted by the University of Cape Town and Marine Coastal Management.
There was understanding among the 300-strong delegates including scientists, technologists, academics, government representatives and members of business from 51 different countries, that the local R15 million-a-year seaweed industry could, with proper management, make a substantial contribution to the country's economy.
A major growth area for the local industry, much of which is exported, is kelp (brown seaweed) and it is hoped to capitalise on the relatively unpolluted waters of the Cape west coast and Namibia.
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