Semporna is located near the world's largest seaweed producing
areas, a vast ocean area include that of Southern Philippines
and Northern Sulawesi of Indonesia. The ocean provides eatable
seaweed, fish abundant for us to eat. High quality cultivated
seaweeds are grown in clear blue sea at Sipadan island off
Semporna Town. Seaweed culture in Semporna started in the late
1970s. A priority of the Department of Fisheries Sabah as a
supplementary income-generating activity among the fishing
communities in Semporna. A demonstration farm was set up on
Sebangkat reef top in 1980. Today many of fishermen involved in
seaweed farming of Euchema cottonii because it provides a higher
income compared to fishing. Culture plots are found mostly on
the extensive 'reef top platform' to the north of Sebangkat and
Selakan. Seaweed Farming is an alternative livelihood for the
fisherman in Semporna. Fishing communities now can earn extra
income by growing seaweed for sale to processing plants in
Sabah. In the wet markets of Sempor