Our work brings together research, community engagement, and enterprise development to better understand and support seaweed-based livelihoods in Pacific contexts. Across Fiji and Samoa, the project explores seaweed systems from production through to markets, while working alongside communities to ensure approaches are locally relevant and grounded in real-world conditions.
Understanding seaweed systems
We are documenting edible seaweed species, market availability, and pricing across Fiji and Samoa to better understand how seaweed moves through local value chains. This includes ongoing market surveys, sample collection, and the cataloguing of species to support future analysis and research.
- Ongoing market surveys across Fiji and Samoa
- Collection and cataloguing of seaweed species
- Analysis of pricing and availability
Supporting community-led production
Working in partnership with communities and local stakeholders, we are trialling and adapting seaweed farming approaches using nature-based materials and locally relevant methods. This includes both ocean-based and tank-based trials, testing different materials and techniques to identify practical and resilient approaches across coastal environments.
- Ocean-based and tank-based farming trials
- Testing natural materials such as coir, hessian, and locally available resources
- Adapting approaches to suit different coastal environments and community needs
Food and product innovation
The project explores new ways seaweed can be used in food products, building on local knowledge and preferences. Activities include recipe development, sensory testing with local participants, and exploring opportunities for small-scale enterprise that support both nutrition and income generation.
- Development of seaweed-based recipes and food products
- Sensory testing with local participants
- Exploring opportunities for small-scale, community-led enterprises
Measuring impact and wellbeing
Through participatory methods, we are working with communities to understand how seaweed enterprises contribute to livelihoods, wellbeing, and local priorities. This includes interviews, community engagement activities, and the development of approaches that recognise social, environmental, and cultural values alongside economic outcomes.
- Community interviews and participatory engagement activities
- Understanding how seaweed contributes to livelihoods and wellbeing
- Recognising social, environmental, and cultural values alongside economic outcome
Knowledge sharing and engagement
The project also supports knowledge exchange through workshops, training, and community engagement activities. This includes field-based training, youth workshops, and participation in regional and international conferences to share learnings and strengthen collaboration.
- Field-based training and community workshops
- Youth engagement and education activities
- Participation in regional and international conferences
