Potential Economic Seaweeds of Hengchun Peninsula, Taiwan

[[abstract]]There are 25 genera and 76 species of economically important marine algae found in the Hengchun Peninsula. The greatest number of useful species is found in the Rhodophyta. Sargassum is the most common genus of the Phaeophyta and has the largest biomass and the widest distribution, but fewer useful species. The local people harvest seaweeds from natural beds for food, fodder, fish bait, fertilizer and medical purposes. However, only a few of the available seaweeds are used and in small quantities. Most of the species are seasonal and more abundant in spring and winter than in the summer. Four genera,Sargassum,Enteromorpha,Ulva andCodium have large standing crops and are widely distributed in the coastal water. Production of the other genera is lower. There are many other useful seaweeds present in this area, some of which are also used as landscape plants in aquaria and as fertilizer in horticulture. The potential commercial uses forHalymenia microcarpa are also briefly discussed