The Seaweed Resources of kwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: The Current State of Our knowledge

Abstract

The coastline of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa supports a substantial diversity of seaweeds which remains to a great extent unresearched with regard to both utilization and conservation. This paper discusses the seaweed flora of KwaZulu-Natal from aresource utilization perspective and identifies research needs (or seaweeds in the region. At present there is no publishedliterature for any seaweed species of KwaZulu-Natal in terms of standing stock, or conservation status. This paper identifiesthe following as primary considerations when discussing the seaweed resources of any region: taxonomic composition of theflora; identification of actual and potential uses for the resource and the development of suitable stock assessment andharvesting strategies or sustainable utilization.