Seaweed farming in Zanzibar
Between Livelihood, Climate Change, and Global Shocks
The Practice of Seaweed Farming
Seaweed farming in Zanzibar begins in the shallow intertidal zones, where the tides provide a natural flushing system crucial for growth. During spring low tides, when the water is at its lowest, farmers wade into the shallows to plant seaweed cuttings. These cuttings are tied at regular intervals along ropes, which are then stretched between wooden pegs embedded in the sandy seafloor.
Over the weeks, the seaweed absorbs nutrients from the ocean, growing into dense clusters ready for harvest. When the time comes, farmers untie the lines, pluck the mature seaweed by hand, and bundle it into bags that can weigh up to 55 pounds. This is only the beginning of a physically demanding journey.
Moving the harvest from the sea to the village drying areas is a painstaking process. In deeper waters, women tie several bags around their waists and drag them toward the shore, synchronizing their movements with the tide.
Once on land, they balance the heavy loads on their heads and walk two to three miles to the village, where the seaweed is spread out under the sun to dry. After three days, the dried product is ready for sale, either to local cooperatives or international buyers who use it in everything from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals and food products.
Climate Change: A Rising Threat
For years, seaweed farming provided a stable source of income, but climate change is now threatening its sustainability. Rising sea surface temperatures have led to widespread seaweed die-offs, particularly in the shallow waters where farming traditionally takes place. The solution has been to move farms further offshore into deeper, cooler waters.
However, this shift presents new challenges. Many farmers, particularly women, do not know how to swim and lack the boats and safety gear needed to work in deeper water. The added costs of transportation, equipment, and training put deep-sea farming out of reach for many, forcing them to either take on greater risks or abandon the practice altogether.
Tourism vs. Seaweed Farming: A Conflict of Interests
While seaweed farming sustains many Zanzibari women, it has come into conflict with another dominant industry—tourism. Hotel owners and tourism operators see the farms as an eyesore, disrupting the pristine appearance of the beaches. They argue that the presence of seaweed farms interferes with water-based activities such as snorkeling, surfing, and beach sports, which are key tourist attractions.
Farmers, on the other hand, argue that tourism is encroaching on their traditional farming grounds, restricting their ability to work. The economic stakes are high. While the tourism sector generates significant revenue, much of the profit is concentrated in foreign-owned businesses, with relatively few high-paying jobs going to local workers. For many women, seaweed farming remains one of the few reliable sources of income, and the pressure to relocate or reduce their farming operations poses a direct threat to their financial stability.
The Global Shock of COVID-19
The tensions between tourism and seaweed farming were made even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. With global travel restrictions and lockdowns, Zanzibar’s tourism industry collapsed. Hotels shut down, restaurants closed, and the flow of international visitors came to a halt.
For seaweed farmers, this was a double-edged sword. On one hand, the absence of tourists meant less pressure from the tourism industry to scale back farming operations. On the other hand, it also meant fewer customers for their seaweed-based products. Tourists often buy locally produced soaps, cosmetics, and health supplements made from seaweed, providing an important secondary market for farmers.
Beyond local sales, the pandemic also disrupted international supply chains, making it harder for farmers to export their products. Prices dropped, demand dwindled, and many farmers found themselves struggling to sustain their livelihoods.
Interestingly, some seaweed farms had previously served as tourist attractions themselves, offering visitors the chance to see the farming process firsthand and even participate in harvesting. With tourism rebounding, there is an opportunity to integrate seaweed farming into eco-tourism initiatives, turning these farms into educational experiences while providing farmers with an additional revenue stream.
A Path Forward: Sustainability and Adaptation
Despite the many challenges facing seaweed farming, the industry remains a vital economic pillar for many women in Zanzibar. Its future, however, depends on strategic interventions that address both environmental and economic pressures.
To safeguard seaweed farming against climate change, investments in deep-sea farming infrastructure—including boats, safety training, and gear—are essential. This would allow farmers to adapt to warming waters while maintaining productivity.
Balancing the relationship between tourism and seaweed farming is also crucial. Rather than viewing these industries as competitors, stakeholders could explore ways to integrate seaweed farming into sustainable tourism. For example, designated farming areas that double as eco-tourism sites could provide both income and cultural exchange opportunities.
On a global scale, strengthening local processing and market diversification would help reduce reliance on foreign buyers and supply chains, making the industry more resilient to economic shocks like COVID-19. Value-added products—such as cosmetics, health supplements, and biofuels—could increase profitability and create new business opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Conclusion: The Resilience of Seaweed Farmers
Seaweed farming in Zanzibar represents more than just a livelihood; it is a symbol of resilience in the face of environmental and economic uncertainty. Women who have traditionally been excluded from formal economic sectors have carved out a space where they can earn, innovate, and sustain their communities.
Yet, the industry stands at a crossroads. Climate change, tourism conflicts, and global disruptions have highlighted its vulnerabilities. Without strategic support, many farmers may be forced to abandon their work, deepening poverty and economic dependency. However, with the right policies, investments, and collaborative efforts, seaweed farming could evolve into a model of sustainable economic empowerment, balancing environmental conservation, local development, and global markets.
