Cage culture of Kappaphycus alvarezii var. tambalang (Gigartinales, Rhodophyceae)

Abstract

Kappaphycus alvarezii var. tambalang was cultured in a 3 × 3 m bamboo raft installed inside a 4 × 4 m floating net cage of Lates calcarifer (sea bass) broodstock at SEAFDEC Sub-station Igang, Guimaras, Philippines, from December 1989 to May 1990. Growth and production of K. alvarezii var. tambalang was influenced by the culture months. The highest growth rate and production were recorded in January and May, respectively, while the lowest growth rate and production were observed in March. Average growth rate (wet weight) ranged from 3.72 to 7.17% day-1, while production ranged from 575.5 to 2377 g m-1 line-1. A total production of approximately 123 t (fresh) or 37 t (dried) ha-1 in the 5-month harvest season was produced from this culture system. Cultivation ofK. alvarezii var. tambalang in cages is possible, which indicates that seaweeds can be grown with carnivorous finfish, a practice which is still untapped.