World Challenge Finalists IDER Brazil - Save Our Seaweed (2007)

Описание: The World Challenge Awards, an editorial initiative and competition organised by BBC World News and Newsweek in association with Shell, is a global sustainability showcase that asks viewers to vote for their favourite social business project from around the world. Keep up to date with this year's competition at http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/

S.O.S: Save our Seaweed

The seaweed of Brazil's North Eastern coast is much in demand by the country's meat, dairy and cosmetics industries. For many decades, coastal communities were able to supply this demand by simply collecting the plants from the rocks.

But in recent years, over-harvesting has led to the collapse of seaweed beds across long stretches of Brazil's coastline. This has in turn led to a decline in fish stocks, leaving fishermen - as well as seaweed collectors - out of work.

The project is working to repair the damage by encouraging traditional fishing communities to cultivate a sustainable supply of seaweed. Seaweed seeds are attached to anchored ropes. Within two months they have grown into full-size plants ready for harvesting. The seaweed is then dehydrated using solar-powered cleaning and drying machines.

The villagers are now selling their product for a much higher price than they used to get for their unfarmed seaweed. And fishermen are reporting a heartening recovery in seaweed-dependent fish stocks.

For further information click here: http://www.ider.org.br/