Completed
Hypnea Producers
Implemented sustainable cultivation of the macroalga Hypnea pseudomusciformis in Trairi, Ceará, providing an economic alternative for local communities.
Location
Location
Community
The Flecheiras and Guajiru communities practice rudimentary seaweed farming (algiculture) as a complementary household income activity alongside fishing. However, seaweed cultivation is still in its early stages and faces challenges such as low market prices relative to production costs. As a result, demand for biomass can deplete natural stocks rather than promote sustainable cultivation.
Algiculture can be a sustainable alternative for production and income generation in coastal communities, but it must be well-structured. This requires adequate management activities for the production process, plus training to enable productive and income-generating cultivation that improves people’s quality of life.
Otherwise, seaweed farmers will continue without sustainable income and put natural macroalgae banks at risk, with severe risk of resource depletion. To address this challenge, this project implemented cultivation of H. pseudomusciformis using a technology previously developed by part of the project team in partnership with the community.
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Species
Marine macroalga (Hypnea pseudomusciformis)
Marine macroalgae have high commercial interest for direct consumption (human and animal food) and as raw material for the cosmetics, food, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries. Specifically, H. pseudomusciformis is widely exploited for carrageenan extraction, used as a stabilizer, gelling and thickening agent, because it contains carrageenan in high quantity and quality.
Although commercially exploited, cultivation techniques are relatively recent. The Northeast region of Brazil is especially favorable for cultivation as it can be carried out year-round with high productivity. Cultivation in open sea or sheltered bays is done on rafts, long-lines or pontoons.
Activities
Develop a sustainable production project and install the production unit
The cultivation project for H. pseudomusciformis was planned using technology previously developed by part of the team together with the community. A pilot farm of approximately 0.35 ha of maritime area was planned, along with a business plan forecasting commercialization as food, agricultural stimulant and raw material for the cosmetics industry. Cultivation, drying and glycolic extraction protocols were standardized according to quality norms and the referenced technology.
Training for sustainable, productive and profitable cultivation based on patented technology
Interested community members were trained in collecting seedlings in ways that conserve natural banks, installing long-line structures, tying seedlings to lines, crop management and harvesting. Training was also provided on pre-processing following established protocols.
Visitor plan and training of guides and environmental monitors
A visitation plan was developed based on a remote diagnosis and mapping of local socio-environmental potentials and challenges. The plan was presented to the community through training so community members could act as conservation and marine education agents. Topics included marine ecology and sustainability, sustainable seaweed cultivation, marine education principles and guidelines, visitation routes, and visitor mediation and reception techniques.
Impact
1
sustainable and profitable Hypnea production farm
1,465
kg potential annual seaweed production
BRL 358.770
potential net annual revenue from commercialization and tourism
5
riverine producers trained in seaweed production
11
community members trained as biodiversity conservation agents and promoters of marine education
Grupo Boticário
One of the world’s largest beauty groups, Grupo Boticário is a Brazilian company present in 50 countries. It owns brands such as O Boticário, Eudora, Quem Disse, Berenice?, BeautyBox, Vult, O.u.i, Dr. JONES, Truss and the Beleza na Web marketplace, and operates with licensed products like Australian Gold and a B2B division. The group’s ecosystem — brands, ingredients, platforms, franchise network, distributors and suppliers — also offers digital retail business solutions (Mooz, Casa Magalhães, GAVB). It employs more than 15,000 people and has over 4,000 points of sale across 1,780 Brazilian cities.
Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão
Founded in 1979, this foundation is a partner institution of the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (Unesp). It establishes and regulates academic cooperation programs, especially with the Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (FCAV), Jaboticabal campus.
VBIO.eco
A bioeconomy platform that enables projects to valorize Brazilian biodiversity. VBIO.eco has a multidisciplinary team with over 12 years of experience in project management and corporate communication. Its work has enabled the implementation of 23 biodiversity valorization projects and created a network of more than 500 organizations and companies active in socio-environmental causes.