Origin
Eucheuma algae thrive in the warm, tropical Indian Ocean (Indonesia, Tanzania/Zanzibar) and Pacific Ocean (Philippines). In these regions, the algae are cultivated in shallow waters near the coast. The coasts of Mindanao (PH), Sulawesi (ID) and Unguja (TZ) are the main centres of Eucheuma cultivation.
Appearance
Eucheuma algae appear yellow-brown, reddish-brown or greenish and have a branched, coral-like structure. The algae grow to a length of 20–40 cm and form dense, bushy colonies on nets or ropes in shallow water. Their consistency is rubbery to tough and elastic.
Production
Many coastal dwellers in Southeast Asia, from Indonesia to Japan, have small algae fields in the tidal zone. Wild harvesting also takes place. The harvest is dried in the sun.
