Improving sea-moss farming methods

Improving sea-moss farming methods

JICA Technical Cooperation “The Project for Strengthening Sustainable Use and Management of Coastal Fisheries Resource in the CARICOM Countries” implements diverse pilot projects in the Caribbean region so that marine resource users receive the bounty of the sea in a sustainable manner with the cooperative management of the aquatic resources by the user groups and the government.

The Project has been introducing better farming methods to address issues sea-moss farmers are facing. The bottom monoline farming method is commonly exercised in Saint Lucia, however, there is a lack of suitable shallow water, and slow sea-moss growth due to high water temperatures in shallow areas, adversely affects production.

Since the Project first deployed sea-moss farming rafts at Praslin bay in April 2023, we continue to modify designs to arrive at the best model. A model which is durable, cost effective, space saving, easy to handle and can be constructed with locally available materials. Currently, we are introducing the floating bilateral raft in the deep water at Piaye and Savannes Bay.

As of today, the Project has deployed 6 bilateral rafts (in total 53 sea-moss rafts) with the Department of Fisheries. We will keep improving raft designs and support sea-moss farmers and sea-moss industry in Saint Lucia.