1. Email Contact: tkosiom@kephis.org
Title: Post-Monitoring of seaweed, Kappaphycus alvarezii, in Coast region of Kenya
1Isaac Macharia, 1Esther Kimani, 1Josiah Syanda, 1Thomas Kosiom and 1Fredrick Koome
Presenter: Thomas Kosiom
Institution: KEPHIS
Contact:

2. Outline
Introduction
Methodology
Results
Conclusion
Recommendations

3. Introduction
Kappaphycus alvarezii, commonly known as cottonii, is a red tropical seaweed native to Philippines
It is highly demanded for its k-carrageenan which is processed into gels used as thickeners, stabilisers, emulsifiers and food

4. Introduction cont.
Commercial farming of K. alvarezii started in Philippines in 1960s
Since then, K. alvarezii has been introduced worldwide, mainly within the tropics
Significant production for export markets has only been achieved in Tanzania, Vietnam, Madagascar and Malaysia

5. Introduction cont. K. alvarezii has been reported to be invasive
Invasiveness of K. alvarezii is associated with its ability to grow fast, it has high nutrient uptake and it is structurally complex in nature
Years after commercial establishment, it has been reported by some countries smothering the corals. These include:
Philippines 30 years (First case of invaiveness)
Brazil 13 years (first report of invasive potential)
India 5 years (Impact on corals and other marine life)
Invasiveness has also been reported in Hawaii and Panama

6. Introduction cont.
Corals being destroyed by cottonii seaweed in Gulf of Mannar, India in 2010

7. Introduction cont.
Kappaphycus alvarezii, was introduced in Kenya in 2009 under vigorous dossier review by experts and strict quarantine conditions.
K. alvarezii underwent six year monitoring period
It was released for commercialization in 2015 after monitoring results were evaluated and accepted
Post-release monitoring was then carried out

8. Objectives
Kenya has a rich diversity of marine ecosystems including: coral reefs and seagrass beds that support a host of marine and coastal species. The ecosystems constitute an important life-support system for local communities.
Assess growth behaviour of the seaweed
Determine the invasive capabilities of the seaweed
Find out the impact of cottonii seaweed to fishing community since it was commercialized in 2015
Detect any new trend on marine ecosystem

9. Methodology
Post-release monitoring was carried out at the four sites, namely: Kibuyuni, Mkwiro, Funzi and Gazi
Surveillance of the offshore for seaweed fragments
Surveillance of the areas outside production sites
40 fishermen were interviewed on the impact of seaweed farming on fish abundance
30 cottonii seaweed farmers were interviewed

10. Seaweed Farming in Kenya

11. Results
Following release for commercialization in 2015, 86 seaweed farmers planted cottonii
A total of 45kg dried cottonii seaweed was harvested
Seaweed farmers at Kibuyuni
Seaweed farms

12. Results
In 2016, over 99% of seaweed farmers abandoned cottonii seaweed due to high rate of ice ice disease, high marine herbivory and market-related price fluctuations.
Only one farmer maintaining cottonii nursery in 2017 and 2018

13. Results K. alvarezii was not detected beyond all the production sites
K. alvarezii was not found on the shore near production sites
Only fragments of spinosum seaweed were found

14. Results
90% of fishermen experienced slight decline of fish catch since seaweed commercialized (spinosum)
There were no fragments of Kappaphycus alvarezii attached with dead, live corals and coral rubbles
Cottonii on nursery rafts
Inspection of cottonii

15. Browsing by herbivores
Green sea algae
Browsing by herbivores
Ice ice disease
Heavy sedimentation

16. Results
Three years of post-release monitoring results showed that K. alvarezii has not posed any threat to marine ecosystem

17. Recommendations
Since invasiveness can result with the change of environmental conditions or seaweed adaptation, further monitoring is required to fully confirm cottonii under Kenyan coast condition.
Early detection of invasiveness and emergence response measures are required in case invasiveness is detected.
There is also need to build capacity on seaweed monitoring due to the nature of the marine environment, and different seaweed species in the ecosystem.

18. IPC 2018 Secretariat Thank you for listening Contact details
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