A team from the Blue Horizon Seaweed Project, comprising representatives from the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Philippines, conducted a field visit to seaweed farming sites in Palawan. During the visit, the team met with members of the Calamianes Seaweed Marketing Cooperative and observed their seaweed farming operations. The delegation also toured the cooperative’s seaweed drying warehouse and landing facility. One notable feature of the group is the strong participation of women, with the cooperative largely composed of women seaweed farmers who play a key role in the cultivation and post-harvest activities of seaweed production in the area.

The cooperative has received technical and infrastructure support from BFAR, including capacity building on value-added processing, as well as assistance in establishing a seaweed drying warehouse and landing facility. During the visit, members of the cooperative proudly showcased several value-added products developed through these initiatives, including seaweed salad and other processed seaweed products. These efforts demonstrate the potential of seaweed farming not only as a sustainable livelihood for coastal communities but also as an opportunity to strengthen local value chains and empower women in the seaweed aquaculture sector.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, the visit also highlighted the important role of women in seaweed farming communities. At the Calamianes Seaweed Marketing Cooperative in Palawan, women make up the majority of seaweed farmers and are actively involved in cultivation, post-harvest handling, and the development of value-added products. Their leadership and dedication demonstrate how empowering women in coastal communities not only strengthens household livelihoods but also contributes to the sustainable growth of the seaweed sector.

SEAFDEC and BFAR are implementing the Blue Horizon Seaweed Aquaculture Project, which has selected two pilot sites in the Philippines: Palawan and Zamboanga. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through WWF-US as the implementing agency. Meanwhile, BFAR Philippines, the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance (DFiS) of Vietnam, and the SEAFDEC Project Management Unit serve as the executing agencies, working together to create new sustainable seaweed value chains that will deliver ecosystem services and provide socioeconomic benefits in the region.