Balinese Seaweed Farming Tradition

• A Glimpse into Bali’s Seaweed Farming On my last trip to Nusa Ceningan and Lembongan, I had the privilege of learning about this timeless tradition. The process of growing seaweed: 🌊 Step 1: Planting the seaweed in special "ocean boxes" using ropes and wooden supports. 🌱 Step 2: Letting the seaweed grow for around 30 days. 🌕 Step 3: Harvesting during the full or new moon when the seaweed has tripled in size. 🧹 Step 4: Sorting the seaweed, keeping the bigger ones for future harvests. ☀️ Step 5: Sun-drying the smaller and damaged pieces for 3 days. 🌾 Step 6: Collecting the dried seaweed for sale to local buyers. 💰 Step 7: Selling the dried seaweed for approximately IDR 12,000 ($0.80) per kilogram. In the face of the pandemic, with tourism on hold, many locals turned to seaweed farming to make ends meet and now stands as a symbol of unity and determination within the community. Seaweed cultivation is not just good for the local economy, but also for the environment! The seaweed acts as a natural carbon sink, absorbing CO2 and helping combat climate change. It also creates a healthy marine ecosystem, providing homes for marine life and improving water quality. I am truly amazed and inspired by the resourcefulness, perseverance, and the spirit of the Balinese people. This is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for resilience, unity, and sustainable practices. Now that the pandemic is over, I sincerely hope that this practice continues, benefiting both the local communities and the environment in the long run.🌱🌊✨