Title : Seaweed aquaculture policy gap analyses in Indonesia, Kenya, and Tanzania
Abstract:
The Nature Conservancy has active programs in Indonesia, Tanzania, and Kenya that aim to support the growth of seaweed aquaculture in a manner that provides direct ecological benefits, produces low carbon food and products, and provides sustainable livelihoods for local and Indigenous communities. Seaweed aquaculture requires a robust national policies and regulatory standards to avoid negative outcomes for the environment and industry and encourage restorative growth. The Nature Conservancy, with support from Hatch Blue, completed a global analysis of successful seaweed farming policies and identified policy gaps for these target countries. The analysis included four focal areas: regulatory framework, supportive infrastructure, research & innovation, and best management practices. The first phase provided a comprehensive overview on enabling policies which govern and support the development of seaweed aquaculture drawing from case studies of countries with varied developmental stages. The second phase included reviewing current policies, regulations, and guidelines in Indonesia, Tanzania, and Kenya and conducting interviews with relevant stakeholders and experts from governmental and research institutions in each country. The last phase identified policy gaps and provided country specific recommendations for the establishment of robust governance frameworks that improve environmental and social effectiveness of seaweed aquaculture policies and regulations as well as mainstream seaweed products in national blue economy strategies. Outreach to build further consensus on policy briefs has occurred via Seaweed Sector Stakeholders Workshops, held in Zanzibar and Kenya, which brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, farmers, traders, and development partners for collaborative learning and strategic dialogue.
