THE IMPORTANCE OF Eucheuma cottonii SEAWEED FOR INDONESIA

Abstract

One of the main commodities of aquaculture fishery that can be a mainstay m increasing production, improvement of the regional economy and coastal community welfare is seaweed. Eucheuma cottonii seaweed is the most widely cultivated in Indonesia. Based on the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries data in 2017, Indonesia is currently the largest producer of seaweed in the world, in particular, the £. cottonii seaweed. Statistical data on seaweed export-import in July 2017 was US$ 69.9 million that showed an increase production of 20.88% compared to July 2016, which was only US$ 57,6 million. This condition makes the government keep trying to increase the production of seaweed. Indonesia, which has an area of 6.315.222 km square of waters with the number of islands as much as 13.466 and 99.093 km square coastline, has the potential of seaweed cultivation. In addition to being supported by Indonesia's geographical conditions, seaweed cultivation is also done in a good and correct way, so that Indonesia seaweed is also much attracted by consumers from abroad.