Abstract

Marine macroalgae is an important ecological resource. It is a source of food and habitat for marine organisms. It is also used for human consumption and utilized in the cosmetic, nutraceutical and fertilizer industries. On the initative of fishermen's cooperatives from Old Providence and Santa Catalina islands, and with the financial support of the Republic Goverment itself and the National Team which takes care of the administration of Risks from disasters, an algae culture assay was established in 2015 as a productive alternative to artisanal fishing. The second stage of this initiative took place in 2017, with an agreement between the Regional Autonomal Corporation CORALINA, the National Natural Park and the National University of Colombia-Caribbean location, this stage had a special focus on manufacturing algae derived products. In August 2018, four algae farms were built, each occcupying a space of 225m and located in the reef platform of Old Providence and the Santa Catalina Islands. The farm’s cultivation cycles, made it possible to estimate the production of Gracilaria spp. and Hypnea musciformis. Partial results, such the relative growth rates (RGR), for Gracilaria spp. the RGR is between 0,36 % day-1 y 4,5% day-1 on the first three months of culture, over that time losses of biomass and high epiphytism rates were observed, and for Hypnea musciformis, the RGR was between 0,48 % day-1 and 4,98 % day-1. The herbivory and epiphytism was a key factor that exerted influence on seaweed growth and the culture. At this moment, we are still in the process of standardizing the most appropriate culture techniques for the two species. With the seaweed from the farms, cosmetics byproducts are being manufactured, such as soaps, ‘after sun gel’ and body lotion.

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