Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden Engages with Indonesian Seaweed Research and Community Innovation in Lombok
Lombok, Indonesia – 6 September 2026 — Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden visited Gili Meno, North Lombok, today as part of a field visit highlighting marine conservation, sustainable coastal development, and community-based solutions in Indonesia.
During the visit, researchers from the International Tropical Seaweed Research Center (ITSRC), Universitas Mataram, presented Indonesia’s seaweed biodiversity and ongoing efforts to connect conservation, research, sustainable cultivation, innovation, and coastal community empowerment.
ITSRC showcased its research pathway from documenting and conserving Indonesia’s seaweed genetic resources to developing cultivation technologies and value-added products. Examples included Caulerpa and Ulva cultivated through community-based and land-based systems, demonstrating how Indonesia’s rich seaweed biodiversity can support both marine conservation and new livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.
Dr. Eka Sunarwidhi Prasedya of ITSRC also introduced the Seaweed Breakthrough, a global initiative that seeks to accelerate the contribution of seaweed to climate action, biodiversity conservation, resilient food systems, and sustainable coastal economies.
“Indonesia has extraordinary seaweed biodiversity, but much of its potential remains unexplored. Our goal is not only to study this biodiversity, but to conserve it, develop sustainable cultivation approaches, translate research into higher-value applications, and ensure that these innovations create tangible benefits for coastal communities,” said Dr. Prasedya.
The discussion highlighted the importance of connecting science with communities and international partnerships. ITSRC works with government institutions, universities, research organizations, international partners, NGOs, industry, and coastal communities to develop science-based approaches for a more sustainable and inclusive seaweed sector.
The engagement with Crown Princess Victoria provided an opportunity to bring Indonesia’s seaweed research into a broader international conversation on ocean conservation and the sustainable blue economy, while demonstrating how locally grounded research and community participation can contribute to global environmental goals.
About ITSRC
The International Tropical Seaweed Research Center (ITSRC) at Universitas Mataram conducts interdisciplinary research spanning seaweed biodiversity, conservation, biotechnology, multi-omics, sustainable cultivation, biobanking, product innovation, and community engagement. Its work aims to bridge fundamental science with practical solutions for Indonesia’s coastal communities and the sustainable development of the seaweed sector.