A few weeks back we introduced to you our sea moss farmers. In this blog, we’ll share the differences between wild sea moss and ocean harvested sea moss and why the method of sea moss cultivation was introduced to Saint Lucia sea moss farmers.
Here at See Mōs we supply only open ocean harvested and not wild harvested. As you may know, our mission is to not only provide you with a source of well-being but ensure that we’re doing it in a way that doesn’t take from natural habitats. Now, you may be wondering what the nutritional differences may be, and if it’s really sea moss or if it is wild-harvested? Well, we’re here to help create more awareness around sustainable practices and to dispel some of the misinformation that’s out there.
Defining wild-harvested and open ocean-farmed sea moss
Wild-harvested sea moss
Wild harvested sea moss, a type of seaweed, is the sea moss that is found in its natural habitats like reefs or islets. The sea moss spores latch onto these surfaces and grow until currents break them off and float onto shorelines.
Open ocean-farmed sea moss
Open ocean-farmed sea moss is the cultivation of sea moss through a process called mariculture. Like agriculture, mariculture or marine farming is a specialized branch of aquaculture. It involves the cultivation of marine organisms for food. This is the process by which many sea plants such as sea moss, kelp, and others are harvested today. This process is fully natural, doesn’t require fertilization or other techniques used in agriculture.
Why ocean farming and not wild harvested
Ocean farmed sea moss is the most sustainable way of harvesting the sea plant. In Saint Lucia, like many other Caribbean islands, the coastal areas are fragile due to the climate crisis. It is also one of the safest ways for farmers due to the rough Atlantic currents near islets.
Before the sea moss boom, wildcrafting was the only form of harvesting. It was traditionally picked up off the shores, islets, or rocks. But, like any natural resource, crops dwindled. Also, what people did not know then was that wild harvesting sea moss disrupts natural ecosystems.
Sea plants play a vital role in a healthy ocean ecosystem. Not only are they a food source and a home to marine life but they also play a crucial role in the ocean’s ability to absorb greenhouse gases. They absorb more CO2 than trees and are instrumental in generating 50% of the oxygen we breathe. Sea plants are also extremely nutritional for humans. For all the reasons above, sea moss allows us to provide you with ‘healing from the Helen of the West Indies’ while actively participating in the “Blue Economy” in alignment withthe United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Saint Lucia creates a sustainable program
In the 1980s when demand increased and wild-harvested sea moss couldn’t meet the needs, the Saint Lucian government began a research program on new techniques to meet demand. The method created would need to be a sustainable one, not only for the ecosystems but for the men and women who were dependent on these crops.
The program began in 1981 and in 1985 the first group of sea moss farmers reaped their first harvest.2 Since then several people and families have taken up sea moss farming. As in Praslin where our sea moss originated, a good part of the community harvests sea moss and has built an economy around it.
Which one is better for you?
So, what does this say about your sea moss, and is one better than the other? The short answer is “no” ... both are grown in the ocean in the same ocean waters. However, sea moss from islets or rocks adds no additional nutritional value, even though there is plenty of misleading information about rocks providing minerals to the plant. On the other hand, the cool thing about sea plants is that they absorb all their nutrition from the ocean.
The most important thing about sea moss or any sea plant cultivation is that it’s grown in CLEAN water. The difference between wildcrafted and ocean-farmed comes down to unsustainable practices.
Think about it like this...
Wild harvesting takes from the ocean while ocean-farmed sea moss helps conserve the ocean.
Stay tuned!
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