Feasibility of red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii farming in Kori Creek along the Gujarat coast of North West India
摘要
Despite extensive coastline, the Kori Creek region of Gujarat faces significant challenges in fishing due to its strategic location near the India-Pakistan border. This study explores the feasibility of seaweed farming in the underexplored Kori Creek region, aiming to provide an alternative livelihood for local fishermen through seaweed cultivation. Feasibility experiments were carried out at three locations of Kori Creek: Narayan Sarovar, Pipar and Nani Cher. Kappaphycus alvarezii, a red alga, was grown using tube net method at all three locations for three consecutive cycles. The mean DGR ranged from 0.51 ± 0.18 to 1.22 ± 0.24% day−1 at Narayan Sarovar, 1.86 ± 0.16 to 2.26 ± 0.35% day−1 at Pipar, and 1.34 ± 0.25 to 1.91 ± 0.43% day−1 at Nani Cher. Similarly, the mean yield per tube net varied between 0.11 ± 0.05 to 0.41 ± 0.19 kg fresh weight m−1 at Narayan Sarovar, 0.40 ± 0.06 to 1.07 ± 0.14 kg fresh weight m−1 at the Pipar and 0.34 ± 0.12 to 0.69 ± 0.24 kg fresh weight m−1 at Nani Cher. Growth was found negatively correlated with seawater salinity at Nani Cher site. Yield showed positive correlation with phosphate while negative correlation with nitrite of the seawater of Pipar site. The semi refined carrageenan yield and gel strength were found in the range of 32.97 to 44.84% and 318 to 636 g cm−2, respectively across all three sites. Economic analysis performed using single farmer model predicted Pipar as the highest profitable site with USD 2586, followed by Nani Cher with USD 1616 at actual selling price (USD 1.44 kg−1) of raw K. alvarezii. Considering higher DGR, yield and good carrageenan properties, Pipar site was found most suitable site for commercial K. alvarezii farming in the Kori Creek region.