HARVESTING OF SEAWEED RESOURCES IN PARTICULAR KELP FORESTS: MCM seaweed harvesting workshop 2004 D. V. Robertson-Andersson

HARVESTING OF SEAWEED RESOURCES IN PARTICULAR KELP FORESTS:  MANAGEMENT  PROBLEMS  CONCLUSION

13 companies currently have seaweed concessions A seaweed concession is a right to harvest a functional group (genus) There are 23 Seaweed Concession Areas (SCA) Applications for current concessions were awarded in 2002 and are valid for 4 years after which 10-year concessions will be awarded HARVESTING

13 companies currently have seaweed concessions

A seaweed concession is a right to harvest a functional group (genus)

There are 23 Seaweed Concession Areas (SCA)

Applications for current concessions were awarded in 2002 and are valid for 4 years after which 10-year concessions will be awarded

Laminaria predominates along the northern reaches of the West Coast. Ecklonia beds found further south.

Harvesting 3 methods: Diving Hand harvesting including picking Beach cast

3 methods:

Diving

Hand harvesting including picking

Beach cast

Ecklonia is harvested by divers who cut plants greater than 50 cm high at the holdfast/stipe junction. Plants then float to the surface where they are collected. Holdfast rot off after 4 – 6 months Done mainly at SCA 9 for Kelpak ® Diver Harvesting

Ecklonia is harvested by divers who cut plants greater than 50 cm high at the holdfast/stipe junction.

Plants then float to the surface where they are collected.

Holdfast rot off after 4 – 6 months

Done mainly at SCA 9 for Kelpak ®

Ecklonia is harvested from boats where either: just the fronds are removed 30 – 40 cm from the bladder or the top of the bladder is cut off If the bladder is cut then the plant will die Boat Harvesting

Ecklonia is harvested from boats where either:

just the fronds are removed 30 – 40 cm from the bladder or

the top of the bladder is cut off

If the bladder is cut then the plant will die

Ecklonia and Gracilaria that has washed ashore is collected by harvesters and dried For Ecklonia often fronds are removed and stipes are harvested once dried Beach cast Harvesting

Ecklonia and Gracilaria that has washed ashore is collected by harvesters and dried

For Ecklonia often fronds are removed and stipes are harvested once dried

Gelidium is collected at low tide by mainly female harvesters and dried It is then collected by the concessionaire Picking

Gelidium is collected at low tide by mainly female harvesters and dried

It is then collected by the concessionaire

Regulations For each SCA a total biomass is determined 8 – 15 % of which are exclusion areas (rights holder can’t use) 10 % of what’s left can be harvested If the harvest is fronds only then 5 % may be harvested In SCA 6, which is a frond only harvest 10 % of frond biomass may be harvested After 2004 SCA 7 maybe a frond only harvest On west coast this method of harvesting wont work as granite cliffs with steep drop off

For each SCA a total biomass is determined

8 – 15 % of which are exclusion areas (rights holder can’t use)

10 % of what’s left can be harvested

If the harvest is fronds only then 5 % may be harvested

In SCA 6, which is a frond only harvest 10 % of frond biomass may be harvested

After 2004 SCA 7 maybe a frond only harvest

On west coast this method of harvesting wont work as granite cliffs with steep drop off

Potential Problems 18 Abalone farms at present With another 3 – 5 on the cards 2 Cultivate their own seaweeds in ponds (Ulva, Gracilaria) 5 Are experimenting with tank cultivation Abalone require 10 % of body weight in fronds, which are supplied to farms by seaweed concessionaires close by Farms also feed their abalone kelp chips (plain kelp or kelp & Gracilaria mix) or ABFEED ®

18 Abalone farms at present

With another 3 – 5 on the cards

2 Cultivate their own seaweeds in ponds (Ulva, Gracilaria)

5 Are experimenting with tank cultivation

Abalone require 10 % of body weight in fronds, which are supplied to farms by seaweed concessionaires close by

Farms also feed their abalone kelp chips (plain kelp or kelp & Gracilaria mix) or ABFEED ®

Potential Problems Seaweed Research Unit

Potential Problems Largest farm 120 T expanding to 240 T Smallest farm 35 T Average 70 T 18 farms with 70 T of abalone Feeding 10 % body mass kelp demand has the potential to increase or exceed 35 280 T per year just for abalone feed Farms are concentrated in certain areas

Largest farm 120 T expanding to 240 T

Smallest farm 35 T

Average 70 T

18 farms with 70 T of abalone

Feeding 10 % body mass

kelp demand has the potential to increase or exceed 35 280 T per year just for abalone feed

Farms are concentrated in certain areas

Managerial Problems No central data base of aerial surveys, biomass estimates or growth rates Evidence of kelp poaching in SCA 6 & 7 Accurate records of kelp frond harvest going to abalone farms not easily accessible Long term management of SCA not possible with present permit system Access for minority users not possible

No central data base of aerial surveys, biomass estimates or growth rates

Evidence of kelp poaching in SCA 6 & 7

Accurate records of kelp frond harvest going to abalone farms not easily accessible

Long term management of SCA not possible with present permit system

Access for minority users not possible

Ecological constraints SCA 6 & 7 High grazer densities compared to SCA 9 More juvenile sporophytes on holdfasts than on rocks when compa70 red to Soetwater Levitt et al. 2000

High grazer densities compared to SCA 9

More juvenile sporophytes on holdfasts than on rocks when compa70

red to Soetwater

To combat the problem of juvenile sporophytes being lost when the holdfasts rotted off, harvest fronds only Would obtain enough frond biomass from 40 ha by harvesting 30cm from the primary blade every 4 months instead of harvesting ⅓ of the kelp bed Levitt et al. 2000

To combat the problem of juvenile sporophytes being lost when the holdfasts rotted off,

harvest fronds only

Would obtain enough frond biomass from 40 ha by harvesting 30cm from the primary blade every 4 months instead of harvesting ⅓ of the kelp bed

P = 0.002 Christie et al (1987) found that epiphytes required 9 years to return to pre-harvest densities, What about South Africa? R. Anderson (pers. comm.) Ecological constraints Conclusion: Reserve areas essential

Christie et al (1987) found that epiphytes required 9 years to return to pre-harvest densities, What about South Africa?

Conclusion: Reserve areas essential

At what scale for management Essentially 3 problem areas Beach cast Kelp Other seaweed resources

Essentially 3 problem areas

Beach cast

Kelp

Other seaweed resources

Bed size + 12 km Californian kelp beds and management MBNMS, 1999

Regulations Kelp beds leased from Californian state government Leased by individual or company with valid permit Open beds harvested by anyone with a permit Closed/reserve beds exist Tenant can lease a bed on short to long term (5 – 25 years) Donnelllan & Foster, 1999 Edwards & Foster

Kelp beds leased from Californian state government

Leased by individual or company with valid permit

Open beds harvested by anyone with a permit

Closed/reserve beds exist

Tenant can lease a bed on short to long term (5 – 25 years)

Managing RSA kelp beds There are gaps in our knowledge of the location and biomass of Laminaria and Ecklonia kelp beds along the west coast of South Africa. A Geographical Information System (GIS) digital archive of kelp information for sustainable management is being developed by the seaweed unit. Which will provide a predictive/modeling system for biomass estimation of kelp.

There are gaps in our knowledge of the location and biomass of Laminaria and Ecklonia kelp beds along the west coast of South Africa.

A Geographical Information System (GIS) digital archive of kelp information for sustainable management is being developed by the seaweed unit.

Which will provide a predictive/modeling system for biomass estimation of kelp.

(Rob Tarr 1993)

CONCLUSIONS Present management of harvesting strategies of all species is good Splitting up of the seaweed resources should not occur to the detriment of present harvesters. Seaweed and in particular kelp needs to be treated as a separate fisheries, which its own management structure, as at present it is considered low priority given its size in relation to fisheries. However given the secondary conversion from fodder to abalone feed and the increase in demand it has the possibility of becoming a larger fishery.

CONCLUSIONS Most companies have restricted access to the resource in their concession areas. Access is restricted by a number of factors: Poor infrastructure Privately owned land (farmland) bordering the coastline Permits for beach going vehicles Public opposition Restricted access due to marine reserves and restricted access through nature reserves in many concession areas Bad weather creating rough seas Crime ESSSI, 2001

Most companies have restricted access to the resource in their concession areas. Access is restricted by a number of factors:

Poor infrastructure

Privately owned land (farmland) bordering the coastline

Permits for beach going vehicles

Public opposition

Restricted access due to marine reserves and restricted access through nature reserves in many concession areas

Bad weather creating rough seas

Crime

Industry Perceptions Little has been achieved by concessionaires towards stabilizing the kelp, Gracilaria and Gelidium industry via the development of value added end products. R&D is lacking. South Africa still competes as a raw material supplier with all the other main seaweed producing countries, limiting volume stability and price. Consequences: Gracilaria , Gelidium and alginate markets are unstabile due to cheaper international suppliers. ESSSI, 2001

Little has been achieved by concessionaires towards stabilizing the kelp, Gracilaria and Gelidium industry via the development of value added end products.

R&D is lacking.

South Africa still competes as a raw material supplier with all the other main seaweed producing countries, limiting volume stability and price.

Consequences: Gracilaria , Gelidium and alginate markets are unstabile due to cheaper international suppliers.

Industry Perceptions Seaweed harvesting for the alginate industry requires large volumes This particular market is extremely volatile. Present problems with applications and access once SCA has been awarded Any product arising out of new technology requires extensive research to enable product registration and sale . Markets need to be developed for new products and product niching is difficult. ESSSI, 2001

Seaweed harvesting for the alginate industry requires large volumes This particular market is extremely volatile.

Present problems with applications and access once SCA has been awarded

Any product arising out of new technology requires extensive research to enable product registration and sale .

Markets need to be developed for new products and product niching is difficult.

Industry Expansion Points raised by concessionaires and abalone farmers regarding ways in which the industry could be successfully expanded Awarding long-term rights allocations with preference shown to companies that Develop technologies which value add end products High percentage resource allocation utilization Sustainable resource exploitation. Developing domestic and international markets Creating a central selling agent for concessionaires ESSSI, 2001 AFASA 2004

Awarding long-term rights allocations with preference shown to companies that

Develop technologies which value add end products

High percentage resource allocation utilization

Sustainable resource exploitation.

Developing domestic and international markets

Creating a central selling agent for concessionaires

Industry Expansion Managing the fresh kelp and beach cast resource separately from other seaweed resources i.e. 3 new categories beachcast intertidal subtidal Change the size of the SCA, which were originally chosen as the minimum size needed to make beach cast harvesting economically viable to + 1000 tones which will also allow smaller entrants into the resource Investigate paper quotas Involve abalone farmers in the decision making process Allow open areas to promote product development and R&D AFASA 2004

Managing the fresh kelp and beach cast resource separately from other seaweed resources

i.e. 3 new categories

beachcast

intertidal

subtidal

Change the size of the SCA, which were originally chosen as the minimum size needed to make beach cast harvesting economically viable to + 1000 tones which will also allow smaller entrants into the resource

Investigate paper quotas

Involve abalone farmers in the decision making process

Allow open areas to promote product development and R&D

THE END Thank you

References Abalone Farmers Association of Southern Africa. Kelp supply Review meeting. 2004 Christie, H.; Fredriksen, S.; Rinde, E. 1988. Regrowth of kelp and colonization of epiphyte and fauna community after kelp trawling at the coast of Norway. Hydrobiologia. Vol. 375/376. Pg 49 – 58. Critchley, A. T. & Rotmann, K. W. G. 1992. Industrial processing of seaweeds in Africa: The South African experience. Proceedings of the first international workshop on sustainable seaweed resource development in sub-Saharan Africa, Windhoek, Namibia. K. E. Mshigeni (ed.) Pg. 85 – 95. Donnellan, M. D. & Foster, M. S. 1999. The effects of small scale harvesting on the giant kelp surface canopy dynamics in the Ed Ricketts underwater park region. Final report to the MBNMS and the cities of Monterey and Pacific Grove. http://bonita.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/research/techreports/kelp…/kelpcover.htm Edwards, M.; Foster, M. Kelp forest and rocky subtidal habitats. http://bonita.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/sitechar/kelp1.html4 . Economic Sectoral Study of the Seaweed Industry, 2001 Levitt, G. J.; Anderson, R. J.; Simons, R. H. & Jarman, N. G. 1992. Past, present and future utilization of South African Laminariales. Proceedings of the first international workshop on sustainable seaweed resource development in sub-Saharan Africa, Windhoek, Namibia. K. E. Mshigeni (ed.) Pg. 171 – 179. Levitt, G. J.; Anderson, R. J.; Boothroyd, C. J. T. & Kemp, F. A. 2000. The effects of kelp harvesting on kelp regrowth and the understorey benthic community at Danger Point (Gansbaai) South Africa, and a method of harvesting kelp fronds. South African Journal of Marine Science. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Draft Kelp Management Report, Media Advisory, executive summary. http://www.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/into/press_releases/0602kpexec.html Van Wagenen, R. F. 1999. California coastal kelp resources. MBNMS. http://bonita.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/research/techreports/cak…cakelpintro.htm

Abalone Farmers Association of Southern Africa. Kelp supply Review meeting. 2004

Christie, H.; Fredriksen, S.; Rinde, E. 1988. Regrowth of kelp and colonization of epiphyte and fauna community after kelp trawling at the coast of Norway. Hydrobiologia. Vol. 375/376. Pg 49 – 58.

Critchley, A. T. & Rotmann, K. W. G. 1992. Industrial processing of seaweeds in Africa: The South African experience. Proceedings of the first international workshop on sustainable seaweed resource development in sub-Saharan Africa, Windhoek, Namibia. K. E. Mshigeni (ed.) Pg. 85 – 95.

Donnellan, M. D. & Foster, M. S. 1999. The effects of small scale harvesting on the giant kelp surface canopy dynamics in the Ed Ricketts underwater park region. Final report to the MBNMS and the cities of Monterey and Pacific Grove. http://bonita.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/research/techreports/kelp…/kelpcover.htm

Edwards, M.; Foster, M. Kelp forest and rocky subtidal habitats. http://bonita.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/sitechar/kelp1.html4 .

Economic Sectoral Study of the Seaweed Industry, 2001

Levitt, G. J.; Anderson, R. J.; Simons, R. H. & Jarman, N. G. 1992. Past, present and future utilization of South African Laminariales. Proceedings of the first international workshop on sustainable seaweed resource development in sub-Saharan Africa, Windhoek, Namibia. K. E. Mshigeni (ed.) Pg. 171 – 179.

Levitt, G. J.; Anderson, R. J.; Boothroyd, C. J. T. & Kemp, F. A. 2000. The effects of kelp harvesting on kelp regrowth and the understorey benthic community at Danger Point (Gansbaai) South Africa, and a method of harvesting kelp fronds. South African Journal of Marine Science.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Draft Kelp Management Report, Media Advisory, executive summary. http://www.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/into/press_releases/0602kpexec.html

Van Wagenen, R. F. 1999. California coastal kelp resources. MBNMS. http://bonita.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/research/techreports/cak…cakelpintro.htm