ABSTRACT

          Seaweed cultivation in the Philippines has grown rapidly, driven by rising demand and its significance as a source of income. In 2019, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported that seaweed became the most cultivated species, yielding 1.48 million metric tons. The Philippines ranked 4th in global seaweed production in 2020, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. However, this expansion poses challenges for producers and the environment, including unusual weather patterns, pests, ice- ice disease, and strong water currents. To address these issues, a study developed the Kapcylier, a cylindrical device for seaweed planting that aims to mitigate risks in the cultivation process compared to traditional methods. Constructed with stainless steel tubing, a mesh net, polyethylene, and rope, the device floated steadily at deeper water, with a buoy for support and has a latch at the bottom, which increased the device's stability and reduces its movement.2 kg of seaweed (8 seedlings) were planted inside, and the mesh net reduces the damage caused by pests and illnesses. Experimental results show that the device successfully produces high-quality seaweed. It gained 4.57 kg, resulting in a total of 6.57 kg at harvest. The 8 seedlings that were harvested showed 0% mortality and no signs of morbidity. The device also secures cut seaweed within it for regeneration. Evaluation from ten seaweed farmers indicates high acceptability of the Kapcylier in terms of functionality (3.85), durability (4.0), and ease of use (3.9). Overall, the study concludes that the Kapcylier is an innovative and effective solution for mitigating the risks and challenges of seaweed farming while ensuring the production of high-quality seaweed.