The general objective of the study was to compate the two farming methods and two drying methods for the seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii in Fiji. The study has five specific objectives which was to:collate and synthesize the history of seaweed production in Fiji, with a focus on K.alvarezii, in order to develop a strategy for the research components, to assess and evaluate the in -situ growth rates of K.alvarezii using two different farming methods, to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of two different drying methods, to test the ex-sity growth rates of K.alvarezii under a range of controlled salinity and temperature levels and to assess the importance of seaweed farming in the community using surveys and key informant interviews.
The study found that the percentage weight change for both methods did not vary significantly indicating that neither method is superior however the cold season May to October as the season to cultivate K.alvarezii in Fiji. The best salinity to cultivate K.alvarezii is 31psu with water temperature of 290C. The analysis with the experiment carried out in the lab pointed out that the best temperature to use under the controlled environment is 29oC with the salinity of 31psu.