Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture (2+1)

Unit 7 - Culture of Molluscs and Seaweeds

7.3.4. Main groups of algae cultivated for food

• Red algae (Rhodophycea) – e.g. Porphyra spp.
• Brown algae (Phaeophyceae) – e.g. Undaria pinnatifida, Laminaria spp.
• Green algae (Chlorophyceae) – e.g. Enteromorpha compressa, Monostroma.

All the above are marine species but there is a difference in their salinity and temperature tolerance. Many cannot withstand exposure to wide variations in temperature and salinity. Many edible seaweeds require temperatures between 10-20^oC for rapid growth. They are largely intertidal and subtidal species.

They reproduce both sexually and asexually. Some red algae exhibit biphasic (gametophyte, carposporophyte) type of alternative generation. Others are triphasic (gametophyte, carposporophyte, tetrasporophyte).