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Thirteenth International Seaweed Symposium pp 339–346Cite as

Seaweeds of potential economic importance in Kenya: field survey and future prospects

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Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 58))

Abstract

Kenya is a net importer of agar and alginate based on recent government statistics, although it may have the potential to be self-sufficient or even an exporter of these phycocolloids. There is little information on carrageenan importation into Kenya since government statistics incorporate it as agar. Seaweeds are relatively unimportant in the Kenyan diet since they are consumed rarely by coastal people. A survey of 15 sites along of the Kenyan coast evaluated the potential for harvesting seaweeds and for establishing seaweed farms. Gracilaria appears to comprise the bulk of the low grade agar import, even though local species of this genus are widely distributed along the Kenyan coast. Major populations of Gelidium may be a potential source of high quality bacteriological grade agar. Eucheuma may be farmed locally to support the increasing local and regional demands for carrageenan. Recommendations for a national program of management and production for Kenya will be discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, 641 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT, 06903, USA

    C. Yarish

  2. Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute, P.O. Box 81651, Mombasa, Kenya

    G. Wamukoya

Authors
  1. C. Yarish
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  2. G. Wamukoya
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, #3529-6270 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 2B1

    Sandra C. Lindstrom  & Paul W. Gabrielson  & 

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© 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Yarish, C., Wamukoya, G. (1990). Seaweeds of potential economic importance in Kenya: field survey and future prospects. In: Lindstrom, S.C., Gabrielson, P.W. (eds) Thirteenth International Seaweed Symposium. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 58. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2049-1_48

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2049-1_48

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7419-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2049-1

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