Seaweed confab set Sept. 3-5

The country’s seaweed farmers, traders, processors and government will focus on better ways to farm and process eucheuma seaweed into carrageenan and other Philippine-grown seaweeds such as agar agar and alginates in their 3rd National Seaweed Conference on Sept. 3-5 in at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City.

Moreover, major international seaweed experts from the academe and seaweed-focused enterprises will share their knowledge with the delegates. Hence, the conference is targeting the creation of more aquaculture livelihood opportunities for the production of eucheuma, agar agar and alginates, and the processing of these marine products into high quality carrageenan and other products for the international markets.

The conference has for its theme "Enhancing Partnership for a Better World." Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Q. Montemayor will deliver the keynote speech during the opening day while Trade and Industry Secretary Mar A. Roxas will speak on the second day of the conference.

Montemayor is the honorary conference chairman while Benson U. Dakay, president of the Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines (SIAP), is the executive committee chairman of the conference.

For the first time, Marinalg, the influential French-based international seaweed association, and IMR, the US-based global food hydrocolloids group will share the latest programs, technology and market knowledge on eucheuma and other seaweed products with the participants.

The University of the Philippine Marine Science Institute (UPMSI), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), and the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Resources Development (PCAMRD), the SEAFDEC, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) and the Food Development Center (FDC) are scheduled to discuss the structures in developing the various opportunities of eucheuma, agar and alginates.