Opportunities for the development of seaweed farming as a supplementary income for small-scale fishermen in Nador lagoon: Experimental cultivations of Gracilaria gracilis (Stackhouse)

Authors : Jawad KASSİLA, Hassan NHHALA, Thierry GİVERNAUD, Mahdi MONSOURİ, Azzedine ABREHOUCH, Abdelhakim MOSFİOUİ

Pages : 12-26

Doi:/medfar.v2i42937.468834

View : 15 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2019-01-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The development of seaweed farming in Nador lagoon insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(NE Morocco, Mediterranean Sea); offers the best hope for raising incomes in fishing communities. The feasibility of growing red seaweed,  Gracilaria gracilis  insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Gigartinales, Rhodophyta); in off-bottom and floating longline systems was investigated in Bouareg location. Several constraints such as epiphytism and wood borers arose in off-bottom cultures. The weight gains of  G. gracilis  in off-bottom cultures tested in winter, were low. The lowest daily growth rate insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(DGR); was recorded in sheet-lines insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1.91 % day -1 ,  p  < 0.01); while the highest’s RGR were observed in net-lines and ropes-lines insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2.72 and 2.77 % day -1  respectively,  p  < 0.01);. Plants of  G. gracilis  grew well in the floating longline culture tested at spring. The weight growth rates ranged between 2.54 and 4.26 % day -1 . The highest growth rate in Nador lagoon was observed in treatment stocked with 0.6 kg m -2 . The high stocking density insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(0.8 kg m -2 ); leaded to low growth most probably due to stress on the seaweed when competing for space and resources. Over a 60-day cycle, the harvest of  G. gracilis  cultivated on floating longline system in Nador lagoon was estimated at about 101 t FWT ha -1  year -1 . With 8:1 as wet to dry ratio, the production yield per cropping was estimated at 3,156 kg insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(DW); per ha. However, the total sales per year was estimated at about $ 6,564 per ha. The  Gracilaria  farming may provide supplementary income to artisanal farmers in Nador lagoon .    
Keywords : Gracilaria gracilis, culture, Nador lagoon, income