The export-oriented seaweed industry may soon get relief from the anticipated breakthrough in biotechnology researches that would eliminate the menacing "ice-ice" disease spreading in seaweed farms nationwide. "By next year, we should have enough ice-ice disease-resistant seaweed strains in our seed bank that we could distribute to seaweed farms especially in the major seaweed-producing areas in the country," said Dr. Joebert Toledo, director of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in Tigbauan, Iloilo. Seaweed experts describe "ice-ice" as a phenomenon caused by low salinity, change in water temperature and light intensity that cause stress to the seaweeds.

Felix, R. C. (2006, July 5). Scientists turn to biotech to save ailing seaweed industry. The Philippine Star, p. B-7.