Skip to main content
View expanded cover

Eleventh International Seaweed Symposium pp 249–251Cite as

Cultivation of seamoss (Gracilaria) in St. Lucia, West Indies

A preliminary report

  • Conference paper

Part of the Developments in Hydrobiology book series (DIHY,volume 22)

Abstract

Numerous species of marine algae occur in the Caribbean (Taylor 1960), but little use is made of these seaweeds. An exception is ‘seamoss’, which is exploited in various areas. Seamoss is not an explicit term, and, depending upon the locale, refers to one or more species in several genera (Nichols et al. 1983). Whatever the species, the preparation is similar, and consists of crude, hot-water extraction or complete hydrolysis of the seaweed, yielding a gel or viscous polysaccharide. Sugar and various spices are added, and the preparation is served as a porridge-like concoction or a drink that may contain alcohol Seamoss is popular in many of the West Indian islands, and some of this popularity is certainly attributable to its alleged aphrodisiac properties.

Keywords

  • seaweed
  • Gracilaria
  • G. debilis
  • G. domingensis
  • seamoss
  • cultivation
  • Caribbean

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-94-009-6560-7_46
  • Chapter length: 3 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   269.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-94-009-6560-7
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   349.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Doty, M. S., 1980. Outplanting Eucheuma species and Gracilaria species in the tropics. In I. A. Abbott, M. S. Foster & L. F. Eklund (eds.), Pacific Seaweed Aquaculture. California Sea Grant College Program, Univ. Calif., La Jolla: 19–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doty, M. S. & V. B. Alvarez, 1975. Status, problems, advances and economics of Eucheuma farms. Mar. Technol. Soc. J. 9: 30–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, M. E., 1973. Regeneration and vegetative propagation of the agarophyte Gracilaria debilis (ForskÅl) Børgesen (Rhodophyceae). Bot. mar. 16: 226–228.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, K., A. H. Smith & J. McLachlan, 1983. The sea moss industry of the West Indies, with special reference to St. Lucia (in ms.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, W. R., 1960. Marine algae of the eastern tropical and subtropical coasts of the Americas. University of Michigan Press, 870 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Lands and Cooperatives, Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies

    A. H. Smith & K. Nichols

  2. Canadian Universities Service Overseas (CUSO), Canada

    A. H. Smith

  3. National Research Council, 1411 Oxford St., Halifax, N.S., Canada, B3H 3Z1

    J. McLachlan

Authors
  1. A. H. Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. Nichols
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. McLachlan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Atlantic Research Laboratory, National Research Council of Canada, 1411 Oxford Street, Halifax, N.S., B3H 3Z1, Canada

    Carolyn J. Bird & Mark A. Ragan & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 1984 Dr W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht

About this paper

Cite this paper

Smith, A.H., Nichols, K., McLachlan, J. (1984). Cultivation of seamoss (Gracilaria) in St. Lucia, West Indies. In: Bird, C.J., Ragan, M.A. (eds) Eleventh International Seaweed Symposium. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 22. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6560-7_46

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6560-7_46

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-6562-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-6560-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive