The optimal utilization of kelp resources in the southern Cape area of South Africa

The southern Cape area extends from the southernmost point of Africa, Cape Agulhas, to False Bay, just east of Cape Town. Large kelp beds (mainly Eckl onia maxima) occur on the rocky coastline. Algal utilization, which started during World War II, is currently based on the collection of natural casts , as well as a limited amount of harvesting, and offers employment in a dep ressed rural labour market. The resource has been researched and quantified and is utilized by low-tech methods for collection, harvesting and process ing. Problems that are facing the industry are mainly of a marketing nature , but a good potential for the industry exists provided investments are mad e in research and development.