Reviving Pacific traditions through seaweed knowledge exchange

From cyclones to rising seas, climate threats are shifting ecosystems and disrupting coastal farming in the heart of the South Pacific. This includes impacts to seaweed farming, a traditional practice that carries cultural, environmental and economic significance.  

“The ocean is incredibly clean, and what we harvest from it is safe to eat,” said Professor Jimaima Lako, a food scientist at Fiji National University. But damage from hurricanes has led to long recovery periods for seaweed farms across Fiji’s vast archipelago, just one example of how climate threats affect the region. 

Four Pacific island nations — Samoa, Kiribati, Fiji and Solomon Islands — have come together in a growing regional effort to use traditional knowledge of seaweed to transform local food systems. The initiative, part of the IDRC-funded AQUADAPT program, is about more than just seaweed; it is about resilience, empowerment and cultural revival. 

For Su’a Ulusapeti Tiitii, principal fisheries officer for inshore and aquaculture at Conservation International Samoa, it’s an opportunity to strengthen traditional knowledge, promote culturally grounded solutions to global ocean challenges and improve the long-term health and economic prosperity of these nations. It started with one question: How can our seaweed traditions help us adapt to a changing climate?  

Tiitii’s journey has taken her from local cooking demonstrations to international panels — including at the 25th International Seaweed Symposium, held in Victoria, Canada, in May 2025, bringing together researchers, Indigenous Peoples and other stakeholders from the Pacific islands and around the world to exchange knowledge and advance the field of seaweed science and industry.   

But throughout the journey, the message has remained the same: seaweed is not just food. It is heritage. 

Cultural exchange: Kiribati and Samoa  

With little land available, agriculture holds limited promise for the communities of Kiribati, a 33-island Micronesian archipelago. However, the ocean is rich in wild seaweed, a potential source of nutrition and income. “We are surrounded by marine resources, which provide us with great potential,” said Taati Eria, senior fisheries officer for Kiribati’s Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.  

This potential is being unlocked in a number of ways, including by exchanging knowledge with communities nearby. Before 2018, sea grapes (called nama, limu fuafua, kureben taari; eme or revo in Solomon Islands) were largely unknown in Kiribati, despite being traditionally collected by coastal communities in other areas of the South Pacific, including Samoa, which is part of Polynesia. As part of their collective efforts to improve wellbeing on Kiribati’s most remote islands and explore new sources of income, a group of Samoan women and officials from Samoa’s Fisheries Division travelled to Kiribati in 2018 to show communities how to harvest and prepare sea grapes. The initiative also provided avenues for further exchange of traditional seaweed knowledge.  

“Our focus is on understanding how Indigenous communities manage and utilize marine resources to support sustainability, highlighting the cultural importance of seaweed in both countries and the value of strengthening local communities,” Tiitii explained. “When Samoan women visited Kiribati, it opened eyes. In Kiribati, it wasn’t a common food. Now it’s becoming part of a new cuisine, with new dishes that can be added to the Kiribati diet.” 

This exchange between Polynesia and Micronesia planted the seeds for transformation. Sea grapes are now regularly prepared in Kiribati, including in catering for official functions, and provide a new income stream for many women. “We learned from each other,” Eria stated. “They brought us a food, but they also brought us empowerment.”  

With a focus on traditional, Indigenous knowledge and empowering women and youth, “this exchange didn’t just introduce a new food — it transformed how we view and use our plentiful, wild local resources,” Eria added. 

Empowering women and youth: Solomon Islands 

In Solomon Islands, researchers are also linking seaweed to restoration. “Seaweed farming can help restore ecosystems,” said Professor Kofi Apreku from Solomon Islands National University (SINU). “It produces oxygen, improves water quality and gives fish a place to breed.”  

“We see our seaweed lines, used to harvest kappaphycus [a red algae], as underwater forests,” agreed Vaeno Vigulu, dean of SINU’s Faculty of Agriculture. “They stabilize our coasts and create nurseries for fish. This is a living system.” 

Though fishing has traditionally been seen as male-dominated, the gleaning of reef flats, sea meadows and mangrove forests are usually done by women. “Co-designing nature-based solutions with both men and women in the communities and listening to often-underrepresented voices and aspirations of youth is essential for sustainable future of both people and ecosystems,” explained Silva Larson, senior research fellow with the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia.  

Seaweed farming has opened new livelihood opportunities for women, youth and marginalized groups. Much of the Pacific islands’ edible seaweed trade is dominated by women, who collect, process and sell sea grapes in local markets. However, there is little institutional or other support, nor is there recognition for their efforts. It is unregulated, with many sales going unnoticed and free of tax. Researchers in Fiji caution that development within the sector must be managed carefully to avoid placing additional burdens on local women, as they already bear a significant portion of the workload and community obligations. 

Youth engagement is also growing despite limited opportunities. “We ran a sentinel analysis to see what the children liked and disliked, to explore how to better engage young people,” said Libby Swanepoel, associate professor of nutrition and dietetics at the University of the Sunshine Coast. “The results were hilarious, but also very insightful. We worked with young people through music, costumes, and creative media to make seaweed fun and interesting.”  

Researchers from Kiribati share the view that with the right opportunities, youth involvement can be inspiring. “Seaweed farming provides them with a role in their community while teaching them valuable skills in sustainable aquaculture,” Larsen stated. “We’re seeing new energy and increasing involvement. From rural classrooms to research labs, the future of seaweed is being shaped by the next generation.” 

Traditional knowledge is also being passed on in new ways, from intergenerational storytelling and village-based learning to digital platforms. “Schools are one of the most powerful entry points for improving health and nutrition through seaweed,” said Swanepoel, “and there is growing potential for youth to use social media to share recipes, harvesting tips, and health messages — blending cultural knowledge with modern tools to inspire peers and strengthen local food systems.”  

Commercializing Seaweed: Fiji 

In Fiji, Lako is exploring how to commercialize local seaweed traditions. “We’ve eaten these for generations,” she noted. “Now we’re making fruit jellies, vegetarian mayonnaise, even fermented seaweed paste.” She believes that further research and development can transform seaweed from a cultural delicacy into a strong means of economic growth. 

Through peer-to-peer visits, co-learning workshops and collaborative research, Pacific communities are sharing innovations and solidarity. 

“Seaweed is our last resilient food,” observed Tiitii. “It grows where little else can. If we invest in it, train our youth, support our women, and protect our waters, it will feed and sustain us.” 

Eria agreed. “In Kiribati . . . women and youth are leading new initiatives — creating soaps, preparing traditional dishes, and even developing recipes for export. But we need consistent investment and better access to resources.” 

As sea levels rise and economies strain, the seaweed renaissance spreading across the Pacific region is proof that ancient knowledge, when honoured and adapted, can offer modern solutions. With ongoing support from IDRC, the University of the Sunshine Coast and local partners, these communities are not only adapting to climate change — they are leading with culture, science and hope.