Indonesia possesses incredible potential in tropical marine resources. It is the second-largest producer of seaweed globally, with a total production of 9.6 million tons in 2022, and the largest producer of tropical seaweed. The country boasts around 500 species of seaweed, each with various applications. Varieties such as cottonii, spinosum, gracilaria, caulerpa, and sargassum are currently cultivated.
The quality of seaweed in Indonesia is renowned due to year-round exposure to sunlight. Such immense potential has led to the term “Green Gold.” Currently, the Indonesian government is actively promoting the development of downstream seaweed industries. Research indicates significant potential for derivative products such as biostimulants, organic fertilizers, food, bioplastics, and, in the long term, biofuels.
To advance the seaweed industry, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) collaborates with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the Indonesian Agency for Research and Innovation (BRIN), the National Development Planning Agency (Kementerian PPN/Bappenas), relevant ministries/institutions, and national and global development partners. A seminar titled “Accelerating the Upstream-Downstream Integration of the Seaweed Industry and the Launching of the International Tropical Seaweed Research Center (ITSRC)” was held in a hybrid format on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Bali.
Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan emphasized in his address, “Seaweed is a renewable resource with tremendous potential for our society, well-being, and our planet. However, to optimize the potential of tropical seaweed, we need new approaches and strategies that must be implemented collaboratively.
The launch of the International Center for Tropical Seaweeds (ICTS) was followed by a seminar that focused on three main themes: Innovative Approaches to Address Climate Change and Commercial Opportunities in the Biodiversity of Seaweeds in Indonesia, Industry Insights, Market Trends, and Future Funding Opportunities for the Seaweed Industry in Indonesia, as well as Emerging Research and Technology Trends Driving Innovation in the Seaweed Industry.
During this event, Prof. Maftuch, Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences at Universitas Brawijaya, served as the moderator for the panel discussion on the third theme, titled ‘Emerging Research and Technology Trends Driving Innovation in the Seaweed Industry.’ The panel featured Atsushi SATO, Ph.D. (Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting), Dr. Hansan Park (Korea – Indonesia MTCRC), Prof. R. Vinu (Indian Institute of Technology Madras), Rahadiyan Dewangga (Ijo Inovasi Indonesia), and Dr. Eka Prasedya (Universitas Mataram). This session explored various seaweed-derived products, including biocrude, bioplastics, and the potential of seaweed as blue carbon. The innovative approaches discussed in the research aim to address climate change challenges, commercial opportunities, market trends, industry insights, financing possibilities, and new technology-based innovations. [DKS]
