Seaweed, Science, and Society: A Collaborative Model for Ocean Literacy, Community Building, and Blue Innovation
摘要
This chapter explores Seaweed, Science and Society, a distinctive school-based approach that blends marine science education, community collaboration, and blue-economy innovation. Developed through The Harbour School’s Marine Science Program in Hong Kong, the Seaweed Initiative brings together students, educators, scientists, and local fishers to cultivate seaweed in urban coastal waters. The program offers students authentic field experiences, from raft design and deployment to biodiversity monitoring and carbon sequestration research, while encouraging creative thinking in transforming harvests into products such as food, cosmetics, and animal feed. Framed within the rapid global expansion of seaweed aquaculture, which has grown from 10.6 million tonnes in 2000 to 36.5 million tonnes in 2022, and with Asia contributing more than 97% of production, the chapter highlights the potential of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) as a sustainable pathway for future food systems. By combining scientific research, traditional ecological knowledge, and student-led innovation, the Seaweed Initiative demonstrates how schools can contribute directly to the UN Ocean Decade’s objectives. It offers an adaptable model for fostering Ocean Literacy, empowering youth, and strengthening community resilience while advancing nature-based solutions that link environmental restoration with sustainable economic opportunities.