Abstract

Seaweed farming based primarily on the culture of Kappaphycus and Eucheuma species has been practiced successfully in the Philippines and Indonesia over the last three decades, significantly contributing to improve the socio-economic conditions of marginalized coastal communities in these countries. Despite this success, the economic potential of seaweed farming has barely been explored in Latin America. This study describes the outcomes of experimental trials led by the Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) in the fishing commu-nity of Dzilam de Bravo in Yucatán, Mexico. The study evaluated the economic feasibility of seaweed aquaculture under two different farming methods (off-bottom and floating lines) and varying assumptions on production and price parameters. Although seaweed farming in Yucatán was found to be economically feasible, the study concluded that any integration of seaweed growing and industrialization in Mexico would require interest from industry and local investors, as well as government authorities, in order to boost development of the activity. Finally, the advantages, disadvantages, limitations and potentials of seaweed farming are discussed in terms of the socio-economic characteristics of the community of fishermen in Dzilam de Bravo.

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