Weight Loss of Kappaphycus striatum seed reared in Controlled Media after Waterless Transport (A Preliminary Study)

Abstract

Seaweed farming is essential for various industries, including carrageenan production. Although global fisheries do not directly depend on seaweed farming, seaweed farming contributes significantly to both the volume and value of production in the sector. This study aimed to assess the impact of the current method of transporting seaweed seedlings. This study simulated conventional transportation conditions by transporting K. striatum seedlings from Jeneponto Regency to the research location in Makassar City using plastic sacks without water. The study used three series of five tanks with a circulating water system. Three bundles of seaweed were placed in each tank. All three series received the same treatment and were considered as replicates. Over a fourteen day period, the weight decreased from 25.49 ± 0.25 g to 8.60 ± 6.74 g. This study shows that K. striatum suffered a significant weight loss in 21 days of rearing, representing a considerable loss. This decrease was probably caused by physiological stress due to dehydration and tissue damage during transportation. However, further research is required to test the assumptions from this preliminary study.

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