WORKSHOP ON THE CULTIVATION AND PROCESSING OF UNDARIA Pusan, Republic of Korea 24–29 April 1991

Hyperlinks to non-FAO Internet sites do not imply any official endorsement of or responsibility for the opinions, ideas, data or products presented at these locations, or guarantee the validity of the information provided. The sole purpose of links to non-FAO sites is to indicate further information available on related topics.

This electronic document has been scanned using optical character recognition (OCR) software. FAO declines all responsibility for any discrepancies that may exist between the present document and its original printed version.

Summary Report of the Proceedings

I. INTRODUCTION

1. The UNDP/FAO Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project (RAS/90/002) conducted the Workshop on the Cultivation and Processing of Undaria in cooperation with the National Fisheries Research and Development Agency (NFRDA) of the National Fisheries Adminstration of the Republic of Korea at the Harvard Hotel, Pusan, between the 24th and 29th April 1991.

BACKGROUND

2. The Workshop was recommended by the 3rd National Coordinators Meeting and the 2nd Tripartite Review Meeting of the UNDP/FAO Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project, held in Qingdao, China on 24–27 August 1989 as a component of an enlarged seaweed programme to be incorporated into the Regional Seafarming Project.

3. The proposal for a small scale workshop on the cultivation and processing of Undaria was endorsed by the Project's Fourth National Coordinators' Meeting and the Third Tripartite Review Meeting held at Bangkok in January 1991 and the workshop arrangements were subsequently finalised with the acceptance of the proposal by the Government of the Republic of Korea. The background details are given in Annex I.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

4. The objectives of the Workshop were to assess the present status of Undaria cultivation, processing and marketing in the East Asia sub-region, and to identify priority programmes required for further development, in particular the requirements for research, information exchange and training, with emphasis on the principle of technical cooperation among developing countries (TCDC). The detailed objectives of the Workshop are given in Annex II.

SPONSORSHIP

5. The Workshop was sponsored by the UNDP/FAO Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project and hosted by the National Fisheries Research and Development Agency (NFRDA) of the National Fisheries Adminstration of the Republic of Korea. IFREMER (Institut Francais de Reserche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer), Government of France, sponsored the participation of two French scientists. The participation of five particpants from Japan was sponsored by the private sector or respective Institutes. The private sector in the Republic of Korea also sponsored the participation of one Undaria farmer.

ATTENDANCE

6. The Workshop was attended by a total of 30 participants from government, universities and the private sector, from three countries in the sub-region, namely Republic of Korea (12), China (6) and Japan (6). Two representatives from IFREMER, France also attended, along with three staff from the UNDP/FAO Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project. One scientist from the United Kingdom also participated as an observer. The Regional Seafarming Project sponsored the participation of the six participants from China, one from Japan and the three Project staff. The remainder of the 30 participants were sponsered by their respective governments, institutions or the private sector. The names and addresses of all participants are given in Annex III.

II. ACTIVITIES

7. The Workshop was held over a period of six days. The first three days were devoted to presentations of country status reports and papers in various technical sessions. These sessions were followed by two days of field trips. The final day was devoted to the adoption of the Workshop report. The detailed programme appears as Annex IV.

OPENING CEREMONY

8. The Opening Ceremony of the Workshop was held in the Sky Lounge of the Harvard Hotel between 1000 and 1030h on 24 April 1991.

9. The Programme was opened with an opening address by Mr Sung-Hwan Ha, the Director General of the National Fisheries Research and Development Agency (NFRDA). Mr Ha welcomed the participants on behalf of the hosts and thanked the sponsors of the workshop, UNDP, FAO and NACA. He emphasised the growing importance of aquaculture as a means of producing protein, with potential for alleviating hunger and malnutrition.

10. Mr Ha said that he fully expected seaweed culture to become a more important source of human nutrition in the future, and emphasised the importance of technical cooperation among countries of the region in research and development of seaweed culture. The output from such collaboration, he emphasised, participants to the Workshop, and wishing the Workshop all success. The full speech of Mr Ha appears as Annex V.

11. Professor H.P.C. Shetty, Senior Aquaculturist of the UNDP/FAO Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project welcomed the participants on behalf of the Seafarming Project and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA). He extended a special welcome to the IFREMER scientists and Private Sector participants. He mentioned that IFREMER had already made valuable contributions to the seaweed programme of NACA and the Seafarming Project and expressed the wish that their active participation in the present workshop would lead to strengthening of ties between France and the Undaria scientists and farmers in this subregion. He also emphasised that the experiences of the private sector would be most welcome and were important in ensuring that research, training and information exchange activities were most effective in meeting the needs of the farmer.

12. He thanked the Government of the Republic of Korea for hosting the workshop, which, he said, was yet another example of its leadership in supporting technical cooperation among developing countries (TCDC), coming as it did on the heels of the highly successful regional workshop on fish health management held in Pusan in October 1990. Professor Shetty traced the genesis of the workshop, starting with the incorporation of the enlarged seaweed component into the Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project, based on the identification for increased research on cultivation, harvesting and processing of seaweeds and of the insufficiency of trained personnel in the region by the Regional Workshop on Seaweed Production and Utilisation held in China in 1987. One of the nine specific activities included in this seaweed component was the organisation of a small-scale workshop in the Republic of Korea on Undaria to study ways and means to improve culture techniques, he said. He added that the workshop proposal drawn up by the project management on the cultivation and processing of Undaria was endorsed by the 4th National Coordinators Meeting and the 3rd Tripartite Review of the Regional Seafarming Project, held in Bangkok in January 1991.

13. Professor Shetty proceeded to outline the objectives of the workshop, aimed at formulation and subsequent implementation of a sub-regional action plan, including priority activities in research, training and information exchange for the promotion of economically viable Undaria cultivation, processing and marketing. He also stressed the need to ensure development of an environmentally sound and sustainable industry, in view of the growing importance of environmental issues and the need to consider socio-economic aspects of Undaria culture, particularly on rural communities.

14. He hoped that the ensuing deliberations would prove fruitful in achieving the workshop objectives through the pooling of expertise of the distinguished participants. He also pointed out that the sharing of repsonsibilities and expertise, exchange of scientists and intercountry transfer of technology, particularly through the mechanism of TCDC, would help narrow the gap between the various countries of the region in the level of development of Undaria industries.

15. Professor Shetty concluded his opening speech by wishing the participants a productive workshop and an enjoyable stay in Pusan. The full text of Professor Shetty's address appears as Annex VI.

COUNTRY STATUS REPORTS

16. The government representatives reported on the status of Undaria culture and processing in their respective countries.

17. CHINA China has excellent conditions for the development of mariculture. By the year 1989, 420,000 ha had been exploited, and the annual yield of mariculture products reached 1.57 milion tonnes on China's mainland. Seaweed culture production reached an all-time high of 294,000 tonnes (dry weight) in 1989. Undaria production occupies third place, behind kelp and laver, in seaweed culture in China. Rapid developments have been seen since 1986. The annual production of seaweeds, excluding kelp and laver is 11,000–14,000 tonnes (dry weight), of which Undaria makes up 8,000–13,000 tonnes. This Undaria production is two-three times the pre-1980 figures. Much of the Undaria production in China is concentrated in the two provinces of Liaoning and Shandong. There are about 20 enterprises making Undaria food products in China. Domestic consumption of Undaria has been increasing, as well as the export to other countries.

18. JAPAN Japanese consumption of Undaria is more than 200,000 tonnes (wet weight) per year. The consumption of Undaria has been stable for around 10 years. The annual production of Undaria in Japan is around 50% of the total consumption. The remaining Undaria comes from the Republic of Korea (80%) and China (20%). Recently, the amount imported from China has increased. The main Undaria culture grounds are found in Iwate and Miyage prefectures in Northern Japan. The number of Undaria cultivators has decreased in comparison with 10 years ago, but has been stable, at 12,000 – 13,000, over the past five years. Undaria is processed into many kinds of food (53% boiled and salted; 23.3% cut and dried; 7.3% dried after ash treatment; 16.4% others). Consumption of cut and dried Undaria has increased recently. The promotion of Undaria as a health food is expected to increase its consumption in the future.

19. REPUBLIC OF KOREA Korea has a wide shallow sea area and large area of intertidal zone suitable for the culture of seaweeds. The total culturable area for seaweeds is estimated as 126,961 ha, of which 68,973 ha have already been developed. Economic species are Porphyra, Undaria, Laminaria, Hizikia, Ulva, Gelidium, Sargassum, Gracilaria, Pachymeniopsis and Codium. Among these seaweeds, the commercially cultured species are Porphyra, Undaria and Laminaria. The total annual production is 483,033 tonnes (wet weight), out of which 205,820 tonnes are consumed within the country. A total of 34,033 tonnes (dry weight) is exported and 3,090 tonnes (dry weight) is imported. The common methods for seaweed culture are the stick method, net with pole method, floating-net method (for Porphyra) and long-line hanging method (for Undaria, Laminaria and Hizikia). Porphyra, Undaria, Laminaria, Monostroma, Codium and Hizikia are eaten fresh. Undaria and Laminaria are also salted and Porphyra is seasoned. Seaweeds are also processed into agar, carrageenan and alginate. The Undaria processed products for human consumption include sundried, blanched-salted and cut products. The cultivation of Undaria involves sporeling culture, floating culture of sporophytes to market size, harvesting, processing and sale. The infestation of Undaria fronds by harpacticoids (Amenophia orientalis) has resulted in losses of up to 20% of total harvest, although some successful preventive and control methods have been introduced since 1989.

20. FRANCE The French seaweed industry is mainly based on the extraction of high value phycocolloïds, such as alginates, carrageenan and agar. Agar is only produced in small quantities for medical and scientific uses. In the alginate extraction industry, the generally used seaweed is Laminaria digitata, a brown alga which provides an alginate of very high quality. The average annual yield is around 60,000 to 65,000 tonnes (wet weight). Until 1985, the natural production was sufficient, but it is now necessary to import seaweeds from abroad, mainly Macrocystis pyrifera from Chile, to meet the demand of the alginate industry of around 90,000 tonnes (wet weight) of raw material per year. Carrageenan processing is carried out by one company. A total of 9,000 tonnes (wet weight) of raw material are required each year, of which less than 1,000 tonnes are provided by the French carrageenophytes Chondrus crispus and Gigartina stellata. Eucheuma spinosum and E. cottonii from the Philippines and Indonesia provide the remaining 7,000 to 8,000 tonnes. French scientists became interested in Undaria only a few years ago. In 1971, it appeared in the Thau pond in the southern part of France on the Mediterranean coast. Trials with cultivation started in 1984. Since good quality Undaria was available only for a short time in the Thau pond due to high temperatures in that part of the country, it was decided to move the culture to the western part of France along the Brittany coast, where the temperature ranges from 8°C in winter to a peak of 15°C during the summer season. It was postulated at that time that it would be feasible to make 2 to 3 harvests a year because of the good conditions for Undaria growth. With the help of scientists of the NFRDA, Korea (especially Prof. HUE Jong-Soo), it has been possible to produce large quantities of gametophytes under controlled laboratory conditions. It is now possible to obtain sporophytes at all times of the year. Since 1989, French fishermen started to cultivate Undaria. The first production on a commercial scale came from a 3- hectare culture ground and a total of 80 tonnes (wet weight) of Undaria were harvested in 1990 (in two harvests, January and late May). In 1991, due to an increase in the number of culture grounds, 400 tonnes (wet weight) are expected to be produced. The demand is estimated at around 2,000 tonnes (wet weight). The principal use of this seaweed is in the form of cut wakame for salads. This product is mainly sold in health food shops at prices up to US$45 per kg (dry weight). Presently, processing is carried out in Japan after the seaweeds have been converted into salted wakame. The cost of the onward and return transportation of the cut wakame accounts for only 2% of the total cost. The biggest constraint facing Undaria production in France is a bleaching problem with the Undaria sporelings in indoor tanks. This problem can be partially avoided by increasing the motion of the water. Another problem is due to the roughness of the sea in Brittany, which damages the farming structures and was responsible in December 1989 for a loss of 1/3 of the expected January yield. Fish grazing is another problem of frequent occurrence. In spite of these problems, experience has shown that it is possible to develop a viable Undaria culture industry in France.

TECHNICAL SESSIONS

21. The country status reports were followed by technical sessions in four areas: sporeling culture technology, cultivation techniques, genetical studies and processing, utilization and marketing. Each technical session comprised presentations by technical specialists from each country, followed by discussion and formulation of recommendations. After each discussion session, a small working group was established to summarise the discussion and recommendations of each session. The summaries for each session are given below.

SPORELING CULTURE TECHNOLOGY

22. CHINA Two methods are widely used for Undaria sporeling culture, the indoor sporeling culture and the outdoor sporeling culture method. In indoor culture, two types of spore collectors are used, one a palm mat and the other a nylon mat. Zoospores are normally collected in mid-July, when water temperatures reach 20–21°C. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers are added to culture tanks. At a length of 3mm, the sporelings are transferred to the open sea, and after a period of nursery culture, the juvenile sporophytes are transferred to thick culture ropes for final grow-out. The method of outdoor culture is widely used in northern China. The spore collector may be palm rope, or a blended rope with palm fibre. Zoospore collecton is carried out in July at 20– 21°C. After the spores adhere to the collector, the collector ropes are suspended vertically from floating rafts. When sporelings can be seen with the naked eye, they are cultured using the horizontal culture method, up until harvesting in February to March. The main problems affecting the sporophyte production in China are the lack of temperature control which sometimes results in premature loss of gametophytes and disease outbreaks.

23. JAPAN The gametophyte culture is carried out from late April to early May in most Undaria culturing areas of Japan. Individual families or fisheries cooperatives carry out sporeling culture by themselves, following the advice given by fisheries scientists of Prefectural Fisheries Experimental Institutes. The hatchery technology of Undaria is almost successful throughout the culture areas of Japan. There have been some outbreaks of bacterial disease during the culture of gametophytes in northern Japan, but there have been few recent problems. The sporelings appear on the collectors in September, after which the collectors are transferred to and kept in the sea for about one month, until October or November. The main problems arise when the sporelings are transferred to the sea when temperatures are too high for ongrowing, in which case the sporelings detach from the collector and are lost. The other problem is in producing good quality sporelings, as all cultivators are interested in using sporelings which produce the best quality fronds.

24. REPUBLIC OF KOREA The technology for sporeling culture in Korea can be described as follows. First, the sporophylls are collected after harvest and dessicated in the shade for one or more hours. The sporophylls are then placed in a seawater tank for 20–30 min for release of zoospores. The spore collectors are then placed in the tank and removed after 30–40 min, after which they are transferred to the sea or (more commonly) indoor tanks for culture of the gametophyte germlings. Water temperature is a critical factor during the development of gametophytes, and is normally managed as follows: zoospore release, 17–22°C; gametophyte development, 17–24°C; gametophyte resting, 17–24°C; gametophyte maturation and fertilisation, 15–17°C. Prior to the culture of sporophytes by floating rope method, the spore collectors are hung near the main rope of the culture structure for about two weeks until the young sporophytes grow to 0.5–1.0 cm in length. This method is called preculture, which is carried out to accelerate gametophyte maturity and fertilisation, to accelerate sporophyte germination and to prevent sporeling loss. After the preculture period, the strings of the Undaria collector are wound around the main rope of the floating structure. There are no major problems or constraints in sporeling culture in Korea.

25. FRANCE In France, the traditional spore collection method as practised in Japan, Korea and China has been tried. Unfortunately in France, the good quality of the water encourages the development of large quantities of epiphytes, which overgrow everything after only six weeks of culture. Attempts to clean the collectors with smooth brushes were unsuccessful, as it appeared that the epiphytes were much better attached than the spores. The technique now used is to seed the collectors with a non-contaminated solution of gametopytes. These non-contaminated gametophytes are produced using a vegetative technique in flasks. Using this technique, it is possible to have gametophytes available all the year round. When the time comes to seed the collectors, the gametophytes are induced to become fertile by reducing the temperature and increasing illumination and are added to a tank with the collectors. The collectors are kept indoors for a further period of three weeks, after which they are transferred to the open sea for the ongrowing of sporelings, which are about 1mm in length at this stage. The main problems during production of sporelings are bleaching of the sporelings and the occasional outbreak of disease.

26. DISCUSSION The discussion on sporeling culture technology emphasised the fact that the scale of production of sporelings was not a limit to cultivation in any country in the subre-gion. However, several other limitations were noted. The occurrence of disease during this part of the life-cycle was noted in China and France. No major disease problems were reported in Japan or Korea, although Japan had suffered severe outbreaks of Vibrio infection around 10 years ago. The problem of sporeling quality and its effect on the quality and quantity of the fronds was noted as important by Japan, and likely to be important in China and Korea. Some research on the criteria for selection of sporophylls may be necessary. The importance of research on environmental requirements (physical and chemical) of gametophytes and sporelings, disease identification, prevention and control and gametophyte physiology was emphasised.

CULTIVATION TECHNOLOGY

27. CHINA Two basic cultivation methods are used in China, the hanging culture method and the horizontal culture method. In the hanging culture method, the Undaria ropes are vertically tied to a floating raft rope by connecting ropes. This kind of method is easy to operate, and is particularly suitable for young plants. The main disadvantage is that the lower plants are shaded once the plants grow, resulting in uneven growth on the culture rope. In the horizontal method, Undaria is suspended between floating raft ropes. In this method, the plants grow at the same water depth, with even illumination. Generally speaking, horizontal culture yields higher yields than hanging culture, although hanging culture produces better quality fronds. Fertilisation is also commonly practised, as is polyculture of Undaria with Laminaria and animals, mainly scallops and abalone. The main problems are disease and poor quality product. A separate presentation by Professor Wu provided research data which showed that cultured Undaria attains its maxiumum weight about 10 days after reaching its maximum length. On the basis of this research, the culturist could maximise the biomass production of Undaria by waiting around 10 days after the maximum frond length was reached. This method would entail harvesting around the end of April in northern China.

28. JAPAN The production of Undaria in Japan comes almost entirely from culture farms, although 5% of production is still derived from collection from the wild. Undaria cultivation dates back to the first experiments around 1950. Commercial scale Undaria culture started in 1970. Three culture methods have been devised. These include the vertical hanging method and two horizontal methods, one using a bamboo raft and the other using a single line. The last method can best withstand strong waves and is most appropriate for cultivation in the open sea. Some disease problems have been noted, including ‘melting frond’ and infestation of fronds by copepods, causing ‘pin-hole’ disease. There are also reports of young plants dissappearing from the culture ropes and epiphyte problems. The main research work on Undaria is directed towards development of improved strains.

29. REPUBLIC OF KOREA The best sites selected for Undaria culture are the natural habitats of Undaria. Site selection criteria have been established to determine the suitability of other sites for Undaria culture. The type of culture system depends on environmental factors, production scale and other factors. The raft system is normally used in shallow, calm areas, although the method is now not popular. The floating rope system is now the most common method employed, and can be used in more exposed areas. The sporophyte bearing ropes are normally wound around the main culture rope, which is set about 1–4m below the water surface, depending on the age of the Undaria and environmental factors. Undaria is harvested from December to May, either partially (by cutting the fronds above the growing point and allowing them to regrow, or by thinning out the culture ropes by removing the larger plants) or completely (usually when the frond density is low and water temperature is high). The main problem afflicting the Undaria industry is ‘pin-hole’ disease, caused by infestation of Undaria fronds by harpacticoid copepods. Partial control methods have been developed, using freshwater to remove the copepods, but practical and effective preventive and control measures have still to be developed.

30. FRANCE Cultivation experiments were carried out on the coast of Ouessant Island in the North-East of Brittany. Undaria is cultured using the hanging rope method. The ropes, each 100m long, and 2 m apart, at a density of 50 ropes per hectare are seeded with seedlings. Survival is better if seedlings are transplanted to the sea before they reach a length of 2mm, and the seedlings are subjected to strong water motion in the pre-culture tank for one week before transplantation. In the sea, plants grow rapidly between 9 and 12°C, from December to April. Two crops of 40 tonnes/ha have been harvested, the first at the beginning of February, following a seedling transplant in September, the second at the end of May following transfer in February. A third crop transplanted in May gave a reduced crop due to early maturation. The main problems are storm damage to the culture structures, maintainance of Undaria at the optimum culture depth and losses due to grazing by fishes.

31. DISCUSSION The discussion on cultivation technology highlighted the importance of environmental factors and culture methods in ensuring a productive culture system and good quality product. The importance of defining the carrying capacity of sites was mentioned, but little information was available on this topic. Information on the possible negative impacts of Undaria culture was also requested, but none was available. The question of deterioration of culture sites was raised. Korea operate a system of site rotation to maintain environmental quality. In Japan, site deterioration had not been noted with Undaria culture, although it was an important factor in Porphyra culture. The difference was thought to be due to the fact that Porphyra farms were located in more sheltered and enclosed waters than Undaria farms, which were normally located outside of bays, with better water exchange. Copepod predators causing ‘pin-hole’ disease were a major problem in Korea and still a cause of some problems in Japan. ‘White-hair’ growth was mentioned as a serious constraint in China, since it reduced the value of Undaria crops by 50%. The importance of developing effective preventive and control measures was emphasised. Polyculture of Undaria with seaweeds (Undaria-Laminaria) and with other animals (scallop and abalone) was highlighted by China as a means of improving the economic returns per unit area. Japan and Korea expressed interest in learning more of these methods. The economic performance of Undaria farms in different countries was discussed. The participants felt that, in view of the varied culture methods, particularly in relation to cropping and harvesting patterns, fertilisation, polyculture, product quality and environment, an overall assessment of farm performance in relation to these different factors would be useful. Comparisons of crop value and production in different countries revealed a wide range of approaches to collection of statistical data on Undaria farm output. Some standardisation of methods for collection of statistical data was felt to be important in comparing farm production. The importance of product quality was strongly emphasised by participants. In China, the need for coastal zone management and legislation to protect farmers from pollution and other problems was mentioned.

32. The participants emphasised the importance of research on disease and other ailments affecting the production and product quality of Undaria farms, particularly on white-hairs and copepod infestation. The importance of research on the environmental aspects of Undaria culture, including carrying capacity of culture sites, site rotation patterns and on positive and negative environmental impacts was mentioned. The aim of this research would be to protect culturists from the problems of disease, poor product quality and production losses linked to ecological factors, and to provide guidelines to governments on management of coastal resources. Research on the economic performance of Undaria farms, in relation to cropping patterns, culture method and product quality, fertilisation, polyculture, and other factors, would be useful in providing information to governments and the private sector on methods for optimising the economic performance of Undaria farms. The particants requested information and guidance on standard methods which could be used for collection of statistics on Undaria culture production. The importance of research on improving product quality through improved cultivation methods was also mentioned.

GENETICAL STUDIES

33. CHINA There has been considerable progress in selection of improved strains of Laminaria, but work on Undaria is still in its infancy in China. China was able to develop a new strain of Undaria pinnatifida in the early 1970s through inbreeding and selection, but the pure line was accidentally lost. Work is presently being carried out for evolving better strains through parthenogenesis. There is a strong need to improve the quality and quantity of Undaria produced in China through selection of better strains (as well as improved culture and processing technology).

34. JAPAN There are three species of Undaria in Japan, Undaria pinnatifida, U. peterseniana and U. undarioides. However, only U. pinnatifida is commercially cultivated. These three species were interbred and the resultant hybrids raised up to the F2 generation. One of the hybrids (U. pinnatifida female X U. peterseniana male) was found to be very promising in that its growth in terms of weight was 1.88 times that of one of the parents (U. pinnatifida). The production from one metre of culture rope of this hybrid was 7.3 kg (wet weight) as compared to 3.9 kg in the case of U. pinnatifida. The quality of the hybrid appeared to be good. However, it has not yet been taken up by commercial culturists, nor has it been processed to properly assess its quality from the consumer acceptance point of view, mainly due to the belief that Japanese consumers are unlikely to accept anything other than the traditional products they are used to.

35. REPUBLIC OF KOREA In Korea, studies on genetic aspects of Undaria culture are still in the early stages of development. Some research on related aspects have been carried out. The first is on regeneration of Undaria fronds. The growing point of Undaria is located in the basal part of the frond. Experiments have shown that if the fishermen cut the frond above this point, the frond will grow again. Some experiments have been carried out on the effect of plant hormones on the growth of marine algae, parthenogenesis in Porphyra and the effect of colchicine on Porphyra germlings. From 1989, studies on tissue culture have been conducted. There is a need for further work on Undaria genetics, to improve production and quality, to increase temperature tolerance (both high and low) and to create disease tolerant strains. This work would be best carried out through collaboration between countries, and should include elements of research, training and information exchange.

36. FRANCE As yet, Undaria culture is in the very early stages of development and no genetic studies have been carried out. In future, there will be a need for genetic work, to improve the quality and quantity of Undaria and to incorporate other desirable characteristics into the culture strains.

37. DISCUSSION The presentations and the subsequent discussions revealed the inadequacy of genetical studies in the sub-region. Practically no research in this area has so far been conducted by the Republic of Korea and headway is yet to be made in China. Japan has been able to develop some highly promising inter-specific hybrids of Undaria. One of the hybrids showed nearly twice the growth rate of its parents in terms of weight, and is reportedly of good quality too. All the same, the strain is yet to be taken up commercially, since culturists are uncertain about its acceptance by consumers, who are used to existing traditional products of Undaria pinnatifida.

38. The participants discussed the importance of research and exchange of strains and hybrids necessary to improve production and quality of Undaria in the sub-region. There was consensus among participants on the urgent need for genetical studies on Undaria to evolve better strains or hybrids, particularly in China and Korea, with France also expressing interest in participating in such studies. It was also felt that efforts should be made to utilise the most promising hybrids developed in Japan, through processing trials and consumer preference studies, and if found encouraging, to take up the cultivation of these hybrids on a commercial scale. The participants also requested some inter-country exchange of new and existing strains and hybrids to compare and test their suitability for commercial culture. Such studies, it was felt, should be taken up through joint research programmes between the countries of the sub-region, as well as France.

PROCESSING, UTILIZATION AND MARKETING

39. CHINA Three Undaria processing methods are used in China, drying, freezing and production of blanch-salted product. The blanch-salted processing method is widely used. The main problems with this processing are colour change after boiling, with the pigment becoming darker during storage. Another problem is the growth of white hairs on the frond of Undaria, which lowers the quality of the product. The processed Undaria is consumed locally in small amounts, but the major part is exported to Japan, the amount of which is increasing each year. The main problem is the need to improve product quality, either through improved cultivation or processing methods. The need for new culture strains was also emphasised.

40. JAPAN The main processed products of Undaria are blanched and salted products which make up 50% of the Undaria products consumed in Japan. These products are made almost entirely from Japanese cultured Undaria. The processing of salted products is carried out mainly by the cultivator families, because fresh material is an important factor determining product quality. Processing methods are modified to remove excess water from the fronds. The processed fronds are stored at low temperatures, between -10°C and -20°C, the cooler the better. Cut-dried Undaria is processed mainly from the seaweed imported from Republic of Korea and China. The demand for cut-dried products is increasing every year, since it is a very convenient food. Consumption of cut-dried Undaria makes up more than 20% of processed products. The methods for washing and drying of Undaria are modified at each factory, and the quality of the processed products varies depending on the processing methods used. Haiboshi wakame, ash-dried wakame, is a traditional processed product in Japan. The consumption of this product makes up about 10% of the total volume consumed. This product is expensive compared with other products, but the taste is regarded as very good by Japanese consumers. The materials used are the good quality fronds from Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture. In Japan, a concerted effort is being made by companies and scientists to find new ways of utilising Undaria.

    There is a demand for different types of Undaria products in Japan. The best quality Undaria are used for boiled and salted products. Dried Undaria processed by ash treatment is also regarded as a good quality product. The quantity of Undaria imported from Korea is decided by mutual agreement between the Japanese and Korean Fisheries Cooperative Societies. The imported products from China have increased recently. The quality of Undaria is related to colour (dark-green is best), thickness of fronds, good smell, taste and the extract released after boiling. The price of Undaria products is decided by buyers on the basis of these characteristics. The consumption of cut-dried products may increase in the future, resulting in an overall increase in Undaria consumption. New methods for utilization of Undaria are being investigated by research laboratories and private companies in Japan.

41. REPUBLIC OF KOREA Undaria is mainly processed into two kinds of commercial products in Korea, dried product and blanch salted product. Annually, processed Undaria amounts to about 3,500 tonnes of dried product and about 25,000 tonnes of blanch-salted product. Processing technologies for dried and blanch-salted product are fairly similar in Korea, China and Japan. The processing technology for cut product by slide film has also been introduced. To promote the consumption of Undaria, further research on the development of new products will be essential.

42. FRANCE The small amount of Undaria produced in France is exported as salted product for further processing in Japan. The processed cut-wakame is then returned for sale in France. The cost of the onward and return transportation of the cut wakame accounts for only 2% of the total cost in the market. Experiments have been conducted on the use of irradiation which shows promise for storing fresh Undaria, but such methods are not acceptable for consumers in France and other western European countries.

43. DISCUSSION The session generated lively discussion among the participants, which revealed that the technology for processing of Undaria was very well developed in Japan, while there was much room for improvement of processed product quality in China and to a lesser extent in Korea. The main defects noted in these countries were colour in the case of Korean products and presence of white hairs and soft texture in the case of Chinese products. There was concensus on the need for some assistance in the training of Chinese scientists and processers to assist in improving quality of the processed products. The reported high nutritional and medicinal value of sporophylls mentioned by Japan highlighted a need for joint research on the processing and utilization of sporophylls in all the participating countries. The discussion also revealed the high cost of production in Japan, as compared to Korea and China, it being cheapest in China. Around 50% of Undaria eaten in Japan is imported, of which around 80% comes from Korea and 20% from China. The need for undertaking market promotion of Undaria products to promote domestic consumption in Korea and China was strongly emphasised, since the emphasis was mainly on export markets at the present time. There was also agreement on the need for new products to be developed from Undaria to diversify and expand markets. For example, marketing of fresh fronds showed good promise in Japan. The need for ascertaining the best source of ash required for processing was also emphasised.

44. There was agreement among participants that research, training and information exchange were required to improve processing and marketing of Undaria products. The need for research on the factors responsible for poor colour, texture and growth of white hairs, all of which reduce the commercial value of Undaria, was emphasised. Research was also required to develop new products and find new markets for Undaria. The importance of research on the medicinal and human health benefits of eating Undaria was also mentioned, as one way to promote consumer acceptance and expand markets. There was also a need to process the promising new hybrids from Japan and to assess their consumer acceptability. Chinese participants also indicated that it would be extremely useful to have quality control guidelines, to assist producers in meeting appropriate quality standards. Training of culturists and processors on methods for improving product quality was also mentioned.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

45. The final discussion of the workshop considered the discussions and recommendations arising from the country presentations and the technical sessions. The ensuing deliberations made it clear that the workshop had provided a valuable forum for discussion on the current status of Undaria farming, and of the needs of the various countries to promote and develop Undaria culture in the sub-region.

46. The workshop emphasised the importance of Japan within the sub-region as a major consumer of Undaria products and as a leader in the culture and processing of Undaria. With a growing market in Japan, particularly for cut-dried products, the demand for Undaria from other countries in the sub-region, especially China, will increase. However, the quality conscious Japanese consumer will demand that imported products must be of high quality. This will require some improvement in the production and processing technologies in both the Republic of Korea and China, particularly in the latter country. The importance of developing new markets, both domestic and international, was emphasised. The Japanese participants indicated that the cost of production in Japan was likely to make Japanese Undaria uncompetitive in the world market. With the expansion of markets in Japan and development of domestic markets in Republic of Korea and China and export markets in other countries, the potential for future expansion of Undaria farming in both Korea and China appears to be good. However, it is very clear that improvements in cultivation methods and processing are vital to support the development of a sustainable industry.

47. The workshop considered that in view of the technical expertise of Japan and the importance of Japan as a market for Undaria products, the technical support of Japan would be very beneficial in developing the Undaria culture and processing industries of other countries in the sub-region. The private sector participants from Japan expressed interest in closer contacts with producers in China to assist in improving the quality of Chinese Undaria products offered for sale in Japan.

48. The priority needs for the Undaria industry were discussed in detail. This discussion emphasised that strengthening of research, manpower and facilities, and improved information flow are necessary to support the development of a sustainable industry. The workshop also recognised that some of the problems faced by the Undaria cultivators and processors were similar in the different countries of the region, and that sub-regional collaboration would be extremely beneficial in combating and meeting common sub-regional problems and needs. It was also clear that some of the problems, for example cultivation, disease and processing problems, faced by China and to a lesser extent by Korea, had already been met and solved by Japan, and that improved flow of information and technical assistance from Japan could be extremely beneficial in solving the problems in a cost-effective manner. This collaboration was viewed as important by the private sector representatives from Japan, because Japan is the ultimate market (at present) of much of the Undaria produced in the sub-region. The organisation of such sub-regional collaboration would be best carried out through a networking approach, such as that already evolved by NACA. The organisation of such sub-regional collaboration needs to be strengthened. The difficulties of arranging bilateral discussion and visits to cultivators in China was mentioned by private sector participants from Japan. It was mentioned that this type of exchange could be organised under NACA through its established network.

49. The value of the workshop in promoting exchange of information and ideas between scientists and private sector in different countries of the sub-region was emphasised on several occasions. The importance of holding similar small-scale workshops, which are very useful in promoting detailed discussion and evolving solutions to common problems, on other aspects of seaweed culture was also discussed. It was strongly recommended that a sub-regional workshop on Porphyra culture, with particular emphasis on disease problems, would be very beneficial to scientists, cultivators and processors in the sub-region and should be given a very high priority. NACA and the Regional Seafarming Project were requested to follow up on this recommendation.

50. In view of the expertise in Japan and the Republic of Korea on the culture and processing of seaweeds and also in the culture of other aquatic organisms, the workshop felt that it would be in the best interest of regional aquaculture development for both these countries to become members of the intergovernmental NACA.

51. RESEARCH After consideration of the recommendations arising from the technical sessions, the workshop identified the following priority areas, where research is required to support the development of profitable and sustainable Undaria culture and processing industries. The workshop emphasised that this research would be most effective if carried out in a collaborative manner.

    1. Research on the environmental requirements of gametophytes and sporelings (physical and chemical characteristics), to define and maintain optimum environmental conditions in sporeling culture systems, along with basic research on gametophyte physiology.

    2. Research on disease and other ailments affecting the production and product quality of Undaria farms, particularly on white-hairs and copepod infestation. In addition, there was a need for research on disease outbreaks during sporeling culture, which occur mainly in China and France.

    3. Research on the environmental aspects of Undaria culture, including assessment of the carrying capacity of culture sites, site rotation patterns, and positive and negative environmental impacts. The aim of this research would be to protect culturists from the problems of disease, poor product quality and production losses linked to ecological factors, and to provide guidelines to governments on management of coastal resources. In view of the information already available on this subject, particularly in Korea, an initial detailed review was considered useful in defining research requirements which would enable preliminary guidelines to be formulated and disseminated to governments and culturists without undue delay.

    4. Research on the economic performance of Undaria farms, in relation to cropping patterns, culture method and product quality, fertilisation, polyculture and other factors, to provide information to governments and the private sector on methods for optimising the economic performance of Undaria farms.

    5. Research on the genetics of Undaria, with the aim of improving the productivity of farms and product quality. The importance of quality was continuously stressed by participants. There was strong interest from all countries for this research work. The research would involve selective breeding of strains and hybrids, exchange of strains between countries, and testing of some of the hybrids developed from Japan under commercial culture and processing conditions. France expressed strong interest in collaborating with this research. The importance of ensuring consumer acceptance of new strains and hybrids was emphasised.

    6. Research on methods to improve the quality of existing raw and processed products and to develop new markets and products, with emphasis on the following:

       1. Processing of sporophylls to evaluate their nutritional and medicinal properties.

       2. Determination of factors responsible for poor colour, texture and growth of white hairs.

       3. Marketing promotion studies for expanding both domestic (particularly in Republic of Korea and China) and foreign markets for Undaria.

       4. Human health aspects and medicinal qualities of Undaria consumption.

51. TRAINING The workshop emphasised the importance of training in upgrading manpower capabilities in the region, including research scientists, producers and processors. The workshop considered that this training would be best carried out through sub-regional training courses, or exchange of technical personnel, although some training outside of the region (eg in France) may also be necessary in some technical areas. The need for a coordinated approach to training was also mentioned. The following training requirements were given priority by the participants:

    1. Training of Chinese technicians in improved cultivation and processing techniques, in particular to improve the quality of Undaria products.

    2. Training on genetic aspects of Undaria culture.

    The workshop considered that these and other training needs could be met through exchange of technical experts within the sub-region, or through study-tours and long-term training programmes.

52. INFORMATION EXCHANGE The workshop recognised the need to improve the quality and availability of information on seaweeds, reiterating one of the recommendations of the Regional Workshop on the Culture and Utilization of Seaweeds held in August 1990 at Cebu in the Philippines. The following priority areas were identified:

    1. Development of product quality standards, which could be used by producers and processors.

    2. Improvements in availability and dissemination of production statistics and standardisation of methods for collection of statistics on production at the farm level.

    The need for collaboration in the collection and processing of such information was emphasised, both between countries and between government and private sectors within each country.

III. RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS

53. Following the detailed discussions and with reference to the technical sessions, the workshop made the following priority recommendations as necessary to support the development of a sustainable Undaria industry in the sub-region.

    1. The workshop recommends a review and appropriate follow-up research on the environmental aspects of Undaria and other forms of seaweed culture, to provide governments and farmers with the information to protect culturists from disease problems and production losses, improve product quality, avoid any adverse environmental impacts and enhance management of coastal resources.

    2. The workshop recommends a network approach to solving the problems of Undaria culture in the subre-gion, based on exchange of information and expertise and through joint research. The workshop recommends that the network established through NACA and the Seafarming Project be strengthened to meet the needs identified during the workshop.

    3. The workshop recommends that in future small scale workshops be held to discuss priority issues of relevance to seaweed culture in the sub-region. The workshop recommends that a workshop on Porphyra be held as soon as possible and requests NACA and the Regional Seafarming Project to make the necessary arrangements, with governments and the private sector.

    4. The workshop recommends that NACA, with the assistance of the Regional Seafarming Project, coordinate approaches to potential donor and other organisations to meet the urgent needs of Undaria culturists and processors in the sub-region. Japan and France both indicated their willingness to participate in the follow-up activities of this workshop.

    5. The workshop recommends research on the major problems affecting Undaria culturists in the sub-region, particularly on white-hairs, the prevention and control of copepod infestation, and prevention and control of gametophyte and sporeling diseases.

    6. The workshop recommends a farm performance study to evaluate and optimise the economic performance of Undaria farms, in relation to cropping patterns, culture method and product quality, fertilisation, polyculture, and other factors, to provide guidance to governments and the private sector on the planning and operation of sustainable and economic Undaria farms.

    7. The workshop recommends research on the genetics of Undaria, to improve the productivity and quality of strains and hybrids available to culturists in the sub-region.

    8. The workshop recommends that NACA, with the assistance of the Regional Seafarming Project, give priority to organising some exchange of experts and study tours to assist China in upgrading Undaria culture and processing.

    9. The workshop recommends research on cultivation and processing methods for enhancing product quality.

    10. The workshop recommends research on development of new Undaria products. The importance of research on the health-improving and medicinal properties of Undaria should be given priority, including research on the nutritional and medicinal properties of sporophylls.

    11. The workshop recommends that quality standards be developed for Undaria, and procedures for collection of production statistics be standardised.

    12. The workshop recommends market promotion studies to expand both domestic and export markets.

IV. CLOSING CEREMONY

54. The closing ceremony was held in the Sky Lounge of the Harvard Hotel following the adoption of the workshop report. Professor Shetty, on behalf of the UNDP/FAO Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project and NACA, closed the workshop by thanking the participants for their active and fruitful participation and the National Fisheries Research and Development Agency (NFRDA) for their support and assistance in ensuring a successful workshop. He assured the participants that the Regional Seafarming Project under NACA would be actively following up the recommendations of the workshop. Ms Fen Ceng from China gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the participants, for the support of NACA and the Regional Seafarming Project and the excellent arrangements made by the NFRDA of the Republic of Korea.

Annex I

WORKSHOP ON THE CULTIVATION AND PROCESSING OF UNDARIA

BACKGROUND

The Workshop on Seaweed Production and Utilisation, organised jointly by the Government of China, UNDP and FAO at Qingdao in China in May-June 1987, identified the need for increased research on cultivation, harvesting and processing of seaweeds, and of the insufficiency of trained personnel in this aquaculture sub-sector in the Asia-Pacific region. This Workshop led to the formulation of a proposal by Prof. C.K. Tseng of the Institute of Oceanology, China, for incorporation of an enlarged seaweed component into the UNDP/FAO Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project as an additional activity, utilising the Project's networking implementation mechanism. This proposal was considered by the Third National Coordinators' Meeting and the Second Tripartite Review Meeting of the Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project held in Qingdao, China in August 1989. With the subsequent approval of FAO and UNDP, this additional activity was incorporated into the extended Regional Seafarming Project, RAS/90/002.

One of the nine specific activities included in this additional component was a small scale workshop on the cultivation of Undaria to study ways and means to improve culture techniques. The Republic of Korea was suggested as the venue for this workshop, in view of the success already achieved by this country in the cultivation and processing of Undaria. It was subsequently felt necessary to include processing and marketing aspects also in the proposed Workshop, in addition to cultivation techniques. As a follow up measure, the Project management drew up a detailed proposal for a workshop on the cultivation and processing of Undaria and communicated the proposal to the Government of the Republic of Korea for their consideration. This proposal was strongly endorsed by the Fouth National Coordinators' Meeting and the Third Tripartite Review Meeting of the Regional Seafarming Project, held in Bangkok in January 1991. With the subsequent acceptance of the proposal by the Government of the Republic of Korea, the Workshop location was finalised as Pusan, Republic of Korea and the workshop organised.

Annex II

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the Workshop is to formulate a sub-regional action programme for implementation, primarily through technical cooperation among developing countries (TCDC), covering the priority activities necessary to expand the development of economically viable and environnmentally sound and sustainable Undaria industries in this part of the Asia-Pacific region. The detailed objectives of the Workshop are as follows:

1. assessment of the present status of Undaria cultivation, processing and marketing in the sub-region and identification of steps required for further development;

2. identification of research gaps and of possible subjects for joint research between countries of this sub-region;

3. identification of training needs and of mechanisms for meeting these requirements;

4. assessment of disease problems and possible means of alleviating the problems;

5. understanding the interactions between Undaria culture and the environment, to provide the basis for development of an environmentally sound and sustainable industry, in view of the growing importance of environmental issues;

6. identifying needs and mechanisms for improved information exchange;

7. understanding the socio-economic impacts of Undaria culture, particularly on rural communities; and

8. identification of steps to improve the performance of Undaria farming systems.

Annex III

WORKSHOP ON THE CULTIVATION AND PROCESSING OF UNDARIA
PUSAN, REPUBLIC OF KOREA
24–29 April 1991

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Annex IV

WORKSHOP ON THE CULTIVATION AND PROCESSING OF UNDARIA
PUSAN, REPUBLIC OF KOREA

PROGRAMME

Wednesday, 24 April 1991

Morning session 0900 - 1230h

1. Registration and opening ceremony

   Registration of workshop participants
   Opening ceremony

2. Presentation of country reports

   Republic of Korea
   France
   Japan
   China (presentation made on 25.4.91)

   Afternoon session 1400 - 1730h

3. Technical session I - Sporeling culture technology

   Presentations and discussion

   Evening 1830h

4. Welcome party hosted by the Director-General, National Fisheries Research and Development Agency.

   Thursday, 25 April 1991

   Morning session 0900 - 1230h

5. Technical session II - Cultivation technology

   Presentations and discussion

   Afternoon session 1400 - 1800h

   Technical session II - Cultivation technology (cont'd)

   Presentations and discussion

6. Presentation of country report and technical papers from China

   Friday, 26 April 1991

   Morning session 0900 - 1230h

7. Technical session III - Genetical studies

   Presentations and discussion

8. Technical session IV - Processing, utilisation and marketing

   Presentations and discussion

   Afternoon session 1400 - 1730h

   Technical session IV - Processing, utilisation and marketing (cont'd)

   Presentations and discussion

9. General discussion and formulation of recommendations

   Evening 1900h

10. Reception for workshop participants hosted by the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), at Sky Lounge, Hotel Harvard

Saturday, 27 April 1991

11. Study tour: NFRDA, Undaria farm and Undaria factory

Sunday, 28 April 1991

11. Study tour: Pusan fish market

Monday, 29 April 1991

Morning session 0900 - 1100h

13. Adoption of report and closing ceremony

Annex V

OPENING ADDRESS

Mr Sung-Hwan Ha
Director General
National Fisheries Research and Development Agency
Pusan

Distinguished delegates, scientists, ladies and gentlemen.

As Director General of the National Fisheries Research and Development Agency of Korea, I am very honoured to give this opening address. It has been our privilege to host this very important Workshop on the Cultivation and Processing of Undaria in the Asia-Pacific region. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the sponsors of this workshop, UNDP, FAO and NACA.

All over the developing world, many people are suffering from hunger and malnutrition. More than any other problems, the shortage of food and malnutrition throw an ominous shadow over the world and on the peace and welfare of mankind.

Considering this situation, all of you who are working for aquaculture research have a great responsibility and a major role.

In the near future, we can expect that seaweeds would be fully used as a substitute for rice in human food. We must work together to improve fisheries research and strengthen technical cooperation, so that research and development in fisheries become stronger to benefit the peoples of this region.

I thank all the delegates from various governments for coming here and allowing us the honour of hosting you.

Have a good time and enjoy the beautiful season of fresh green in Korea.

Thank you very much.

Annex VI

SPEECH

Professor H.P.C. Shetty
Senior Aquaculturist
UNDP/FAO Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstraion Project

It gives me great pleasure to speak a few words on this important occasion on behalf of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) and the Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project of the United Nations Development Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Mr Chen Foo Yan, the Project Coordinator, was to have been here for this purpose and also to participate in the workshop deliberations. Unfortunately, it has not been possible for him to come here on account of certain unavoidable and unforseen circumstances. He has asked me to convey his deep apologies to the host government and all the participants, while wishing the workshop a grand success.

At the outset, I would also like to welcome all the distinguished participants from the Republic of Korea, China, Japan and France. It is gratifying to note the participation of scientists from IFREMER, which has already made valuable contributions to the seaweed programme of NACA and the Seafarming Project through its active support to the Regional Workshop on the Cultivation and Utilization of Seaweeds held in Cebu, Philippines in August 1990, and through its interest in supporting some of the research recommendations from this earlier workshop. I hope that the active participation of IFREMER scientists in the present workshop will be equally fruitful, and lead to further strengthening of ties between France and the Undaria scientists and farmers in this sub-region.

A special welcome is due to the participants from the private sector in Japan and the Republic of Korea. The experiences of the private sector will be most welcome and are important in ensuring that research, training and information exchnange activities are most effective in meeting the needs of the farmer.

NACA and the Seafarming Project are extremely grateful to the Government of the Republic of Korea for kindly hosting this sub-regional workshop, which is yet another example of its leadership in support of technical cooperation among developing countries (TCDC), coming as it does on the heels of the highly successful Regional Workshop on Fish Health Management, held in this very picturesque city of Pusan in Octover 1990. Dr Byung Ha Park and his colleagues in the National Fisheries Research and Development Agency (NFRDA) have put in a lot of sincere efforts to make excellent arrangments for this workshop to ensure its success. We wish to record our deep gratitude to them and also to the Director General of the NFRDA for his kind help and guidance, and for finding the time to participate in this opening ceremony.

Many of you are perhaps aware of the background to this workshop. The incorporation of an enlarged seaweed component in the Regional Seafarming Project had its origin in the identification of the need for increased research on cultivation, harvesting and processing of seaweeds and of the insufficiency of trained personnel in the region by the Workshop on Seaweed Production and Utilisation, organised jointly by the Government of China, UNDP and FAO at Qingdao in China in May-June 1987. A proposal prepared by Prof. C.K. Tseng of the Institute of Oceanology, China, for incorporating such a programme into the Seafarming Project as an additional activity, utilizing the Project's implementation mechanism, was endorsed by the project's 3rd National Coordinators' Meeting and the 2nd Tripartite Review Meeting held in Qingdao, China in August 1989. With the subsequent approval of FAO and UNDP, this additional activity was incorporated into the extended Regional Seafarming Project, RAS/90/002.

One of the nine specific activities included in the Project was a small scale workshop on the cultivation of Undaria to study ways and means to improve culture techniques. It was also suggested that this workshop be held in the Republic of Korea, in view of this country's success in the culture of this seaweed. As a follow up measure, a detailed proposal for a workshop on the cultivation and processing of Undaria was drawn up by the Project management and communicated to the Government of the Republic of Korea for their consideration. This proposal was strongly endorsed by the Project's 4th National Coordinators' Meeting and the 3rd Tripartite Review Meeting held at Bangkok in January 1991 and the workshop arrangements were subsequently finalised with the acceptance of the proposal by the Government of the Republic of Korea.

The workshop has the following as its main objectives:

1. assessment of the present status of Undaria cultivation, processing and marketing in the sub-region, and identification of steps required for further development;

2. identification of research gaps and of possible subjects for joint research between countries of this sub-region;

3. identification of training needs and of mechanisms for meeting these requirements;

4. assessment of disease problems and possible means of alleviating the problems;

5. understanding the interactions between Undaria culture and the environment, to provide the basis for development of an environmentally sound and sustainable industry, in view of the growing importance of environmental issues;

6. identifying needs and mechanisms for improved information exchange;

7. understanding the socio-economic impacts of Undaria culture, particularly on rural communities; and

8. identification of steps to improve the performance of Undaria farming systems.

It is hoped that the workshop deliberations over the next few days would prove entirely fruitful in achieving the above objectives through the pooling of the expertise of the distinguished participants gathered here.

The sharing of responsibilities and expertise, exchange of scientists and intercountry transfer of technology, particularly through the mechanism of TCDC, should help to narrow the existing gaps in the level of development of Undaria culture, processing and marketing between the countries of the region. It is also important to bear in mind that aquaculture as a sub-sector must now start to bear wider responsibilities, particularly in relation to the environment and that pure transfer of technology is not enough anymore. This transfer of technology must go hand-in-hand with government policies and private sector operational practices, which allow aquaculture to develop in a manner which ensures best use of natural resources and gives due consideration to other common users of the aquatic environment. These environmtal issues are now being given a higher profile within NACA and the Seafarming Project, and merit particular consideration during the present workshop.

As you are all aware, NACA is now an autonomous regional intergovernmental organisation, which has as its objective the allround development of aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific region. The cost of its core activities is being borne by its member governments, currently nine in number, while its field programmes will be implemented with funding support from donor agencies and governments, such as UNDP, ADB and the Government of France. The Regional Seafarming Project, under the auspices of which this workshop is being held, is one of the priority activities under NACA.

I wish all the participants a highly satisfying workshop and an enjoyable stay in the pleasant weather of this beautiful city.