MARI Oceans: Sustainable community-based seaweed farming

Seaweed has drawn significant attention in recent years as both an untapped resource for alleviating food security and its potential to accelerate climate mitigation and adaptation. Balancing social foundations within ecological means, seaweed aquaculture has the power to strengthen coastal resilience and drive sustainable growth of the blue economy. Despite recent growth, more than 95% of global seaweed production is in Asia, tapping into the vast experience and knowledge in the region will be paramount in global efforts to scale.

Seaweed production in Indonesia accounts for around 40% of national fisheries output and is a source of employment for over 265 000 households. Systemic challenges exist throughout the sector, underpinned by a fractured and unequitable value chain, with many farmers still lingering on or below the poverty line due to highly volatile output prices and limited access to finance. Issues of quality assurance often contribute to volatile pricing, yet these issues are multifaceted and derive from financial, technical, operational, technological, environmental and climate stressors.

MARI Oceans seeks to be the leading seaweed farming organisation in Indonesia, setting a standard for sustainability of both ocean farming and community business practice. Its financial offering through a cooperative structure will drive membership expansion from South Sulawesi across multiple locations in Indonesia to 1,500 farmers by 2027. This will support improved practice and governance, rebalancing, and transitioning the entire seaweed sector into a formalised industry that works for all.

The company tackles the challenges and risks inhibiting growth of seaweed farmers, adopting a systems-based approach, and placing farmers at the heart of its operation. With a model based on engagement and research across all levels of the value chain, MARI is seeking to scale its first site, already established in Bone, South Sulawesi, to fifty hectares as a precursor to replicated growth across Indonesia. Its aim to be the leading seaweed farming company nationally in the next five years and set the standard for local production reflects commitment to both industry and livelihoods.

Beyond its core activities, MARI leverages the cooperative to effectively reinvest back into farming communities through value-add services, such as microfinance, education, waste management, and coastal conservation projects that further strengthen coastal resilience.

MARI Oceans onboarded 50 farmers across two seaweed farm locations, implemented eight standard operating procedures (SOPs), and established a 690-square-meter warehouse in Makassar. They developed comprehensive biosecurity protocols, installed 19 bamboo structures for solar dryers, and engaged in multiple partnerships. Despite challenges like extreme weather conditions, MARI's efforts positively impacted farmers and their families, supporting access to finance, increasing literacy levels, and fostering inclusion.

Further on, MARI Oceans aims to expand its network of seaweed farmers, enhance its business model with continued training and technological support, and secure an export license. The company plans to implement a mobile app for farm data collection, upgrade its warehouse and logistics, and establish additional sea-based nurseries. MARI is also focused on environmental impact, pursuing carbon credit provisioning and conducting a life cycle assessment to quantify its carbon footprint.

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