Seaweed Research and Production in Kenya: Unveiling Opportunities and Current Research Gaps

ABSTRACT This study reviews seaweed research activities and production in Kenya, serving as a case study to demonstrate the untapped potential and applicability in East Africa, especially in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Given the lack of consolidated scientific information and the fragmented nature of current seaweed farming efforts in Kenya, this review was undertaken to assess past and current research, identify production gaps, and offer direction for future development of a sustainable and competitive seaweed aquaculture industry in the region. In an extensive literature review, we identified 69 relevant manuscripts, primarily focusing on seaweed floristics and taxonomy, ecology, aquaculture and bioprospecting in the broadest meaning. Results reveal seaweed production was found to be minuscule compared to major global producers, despite a shifting research focus toward aquaculture in the last two decades. Seaweed farming faces environmental challenges such as unfavorable weather conditions and pathogen outbreaks, strongly impacting growth rates and production levels. The species currently commercially cultivated are used primarily for hydrocolloid extraction (carrageenans), explaining the limited interest in biochemical characterization of seaweed diversity, as most ‘bioprospecting’ studies focus on carrageenan and/or agar yields. With increasing investments into seaweed farming, concerns are rising regarding implications for the marine environment due to observed changes in sediment accumulation, changes in water quality, deforestation rates and shifts in marine biota. In conclusion, this study underscores seaweed's potential in Kenya, but also emphasizes the need for continued research and sustainable development practices to fully exploit this untapped resource.