Several field evaluation trips were conducted at sites in four municipalities, namely, Prieto-Diaz, Gubat, Matnog, and Barcelona. These sites represent three different seaweed habitats: 1) sandy-reef flats with rock components, partly exposed during extreme low tides and protected from very strong wave action as these are far from the reef breakers; 2) rocky reef with sandy patches exposed to strong wave action. The reef although exposed during low tides is continuously being awashed by water brought in by waves; and 3) sandy-muddy flats (alluvial) situated within the bays which are influenced by fresh water outflow from rivers (brackish). The three types of habitats support different species of Gracilaria.
