Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
A critical question is how to best guide the development of aquaculture that has
the potential to support a portfolio of sustainable livelihoods and assist in poverty
alleviation and food security (ICES
2011
). Broader systematic perspectives on
aquaculture, such as the “Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture” (Soto et al.
2008
), may enable analysis of trade-offs and sustainability aspects, especially
with respect to net benefits for poorer resource users. Furthermore, local knowledge
generated through active bottom-up participation and the application of transparent
decision-making processes are some of the building blocks behind improved
coordination of all the sector's stakeholders. Strengthening of institutional capacity
and resources (including human capacity), both at national and international levels,
is needed to enable development of aquaculture for poverty reduction and improved
human well-being.
22.3 Direct Seaweed Applications and Bioactive Compounds
22.3.1
Introduction
Following the twentieth International Seaweed Symposium in Ensenada, Mexico,
in 2010, several quite encompassing reviews have lately been published comprising
various potential uses of seaweeds as functional food, feed supplement, or manure
and soil conditioner with biological or pharmaceutical activities. Adding some
more the following paragraphs provide an overview of the currently available
information in published literature guiding specific interests in seaweed
applications to the great number of detailed references collated already.
22.3.2 Seaweed for Food and Medication
Seaweeds have been used as food and for medical purposes since the late Pleisto-
cene as Dillehay et al. (
2008
) reported from an excavation site at Monte Verde in
southern Chile. Nine species of marine algae were recovered, among them edible
species (
Durvillaea antarctica
,
Porphyra columbina
,
Sarcothalia crispata
, and
Macrocystis pyrifera
) and two nonedible ones (in the genus
Gigartina
and
Sargas-
sum
). Some are nowadays being used as medical plants by indigenous people of
that area and may have served the same purpose 14,000 years ago.
To date the food sector is still the most important field of application for the
various species of seaweeds farmed or collected from the wild. While direct
consumption is most common in the Asia-Pacific region, algal hydrocolloids are
used worldwide in a great variety of food items as emulsifying, gelling, or water
retention agents (Indergaard and Østgaard
1991
; Murata and Nakazoe
2001
;
Bartsch et al.
2008
). 86,100 tons of hydrocolloids were traded in 2009 comprising
