A 3.5-year research project led by the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) and funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), working across Fiji, Samoa, and Kiribati to support sustainable, community-led seaweed enterprises.
Seaweed has long been part of Pacific coastal life, providing food, income, and a resource shaped by local knowledge and environmental conditions. Yet women’s contributions across seaweed value chains are often undervalued, and opportunities for enterprise remain limited by access to training, tools, markets, and support. This project builds on existing practices and knowledge to strengthen women-led seaweed enterprises in ways that are locally relevant, environmentally grounded, and designed for long-term use.
Project at a glance
A collaborative applied research project working at the intersection of gender equity, coastal livelihoods and nature-based solutions. The work is grounded in real contexts and informed by the priorities of Pacific communities. The WiSE project combines research, training and enterprise development to support women’s leadership across seaweed value chains. This includes work from production and handling through to food innovation and small business opportunities.
What we're doing
Understanding seaweed value chains
We are documenting species, markets, and pricing to better understand how seaweed moves from coastal environments to consumers.
Supporting community-led production
We are working with communities to trial and adapt farming approaches that are practical, locally relevant, and environmentally grounded.
Exploring food and product innovation
We are testing new ways seaweed can be used in food products, supporting local enterprise opportunities and improving dietary diversity.
Measuring impact and wellbeing
We are working with communities to understand how seaweed enterprises contribute to livelihoods, wellbeing, and local priorities.
Why it matters
Seaweed sits at the intersection of environmental sustainability, food systems, and coastal livelihoods. In Pacific contexts, where communities are closely connected to marine environments, strengthening seaweed enterprises offers a pathway to support economic opportunities while maintaining strong relationships with local ecosystems.
By working alongside communities and grounding the project in local knowledge and priorities, this work aims to support approaches that are not only effective, but meaningful and lasting.
“We are taking a participatory approach using the SEEA EA framework to ensure Indigenous and local knowledge is included, and that ecosystem services particularly cultural values are recognised.”
— Dr Silva Larson
Where we work
The project is active in Fiji, Samoa and Kiribati, working with local partners and communities in diverse coastal contexts. Approaches are tailored to each location, reflecting environmental conditions, cultural practices and community priorities.
Fiji
Working with partners and communities to strengthen women’s participation in seaweed enterprises, with a focus on training, value-chain learning and locally relevant product innovation.
Samoa
Supporting farming knowledge, handling practices and exploring food and enterprise opportunities that align with local needs and environmental conditions.
Kiribati
Partnering with stakeholders to understand context-specific opportunities and constraints for women-led seaweed enterprises and innovation pathways.
How we work
Our approach is grounded in collaboration, working alongside Indigenous Peoples and local communities to ensure that research is informed by local knowledge, priorities, and lived experience. We combine scientific methods with participatory approaches to better understand coastal systems, support locally relevant solutions, and ensure that cultural and community values are recognised throughout the work.
Publications and outputs
Our work contributes to a growing body of research on seaweed systems, gender equity, and nature-based solutions in the Pacific.
About AQUADAPT
This project is part of the Nature-based Climate Solutions (NbCS) in Aquacultural Food Systems in Asia-Pacific (AQUADAPT) initiative, co-funded by Global Affairs Canada and IDRC. AQUADAPT is a four-year research initiative focused on driving inclusive, nature-based solutions across the Asia-Pacific. The goal is to explore how aquaculture can contribute to climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and food security in locally meaningful ways.
This work is ongoing. As the project progresses, insights and learnings from across Fiji, Samoa and Kiribati will continue to be shared through the project blog and project outputs.