UMCMB’s Contribution at the 25th International Seaweed Symposium in Victoria,Canada.

The University of Mataram Center for Marine Biorefineries (UMCMB) contributed to the 25th International Seaweed Symposium (ISS), held from May 4–9, 2025, at the Victoria Conference Centre, British Columbia, Canada. This year’s theme, “Igniting Innovation: Building On The Past To Advance The Seaweed Momentum,” brought together leading researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the seaweed sector.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eka Sunarwidhi Prasedya from UMCMB delivered a scientific contribution focused on the Exploration wild Eucheumatoids Genetic Diversity in Indonesian coastal regions. His presentation emphasized the importance of characterizing natural populations to support biodiversity conservation, sustainable utilization, and future strain improvement for the seaweed industry.

While seaweed is often praised for its role in climate solutions and bio-based applications, wild populations especially of economically important genera like Eucheuma and Kappaphycus are under increasing scientific attention. Understanding their genetic variability is critical for building resilient and adaptive strategies in the face of environmental and commercial pressures.

The symposium also provided UMCMB with an opportunity to engage with the Global Seaweed Coalition, discussing ongoing projects and exploring future collaboration. This strengthened UMCMB’s ties within the international seaweed research community and reaffirmed its role in advancing science-driven solutions for marine sustainability.