It is no secret among seaweed industry insiders that the biggest problem facing the industry is the scarcity of good quality seed stock. Like rice farmers, seaweed farmers set aside a bit of their harvest to use as seeds in the next cropping period. After decades of this practice, it is to be expected that the seaweed feedstock in the country is losing much of its strength or viability because of continuous "cutting and planting" by the farmers. To survive, seaweeds need to be tougher too, and the commercially important ones like Kappaphycus and Gracilaria can be made so with the help of research. In comes biotechnology. Not to mess with the genetic make-up of seaweeds, the tools are far from that, and besides, seaweed-importing countries are wary of GMOs (genetically modified organisms), but to help seaweeds reproduce and grow better without interference and under controlled conditions. The most successful cultivar grown will eventually be distributed among seaweed farmers.

SEAFDEC conducts training on seaweed biotech. (2007 April 5-8). Sunstar, p. 4.