As traditional knowledge and its transmission gradually decimate, this study responds to the pressing need to document the local traditional knowledge regarding the use of seaweeds in eastern Camarines Sur. A semi-structured survey revealed that the locals were familiar with the food use of five seaweed species – namely, Acanthopora spicifera, Caulerpa lentillifera, C. racemosa, Gelidiella acerosa, and Kappaphycus alvarezii. Caulerpa lentillifera (use value or UV: 0.87; fidelity level or FL: 43.64) and C. racemosa (UV: 0.66; FL: 38.86) claimed medicinal properties to cure digestive and glandular diseases. Caulerpa species appeared to be the most ethnobotanically important seaweeds, whereas the carrageenan-producing species – Kappaphycus alvarezii – is farmed for livelihood purposes. Locals from Caramoan and Garchitorena have significantly better knowledge of seaweed use than the other municipalities. The transmission of traditional knowledge largely involved women as they were the primary source. Our results validated previous reports with traditional uses corresponding to their phytochemical properties (i.e. antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory). Our study provides fundamental information for the sustainable resource management of these targeted species. The present results extend future work in extensive spatial and temporal coverages, the implication of modernization, and existing gaps in the sustainable management of seaweed ethnotaxa resources in eastern Camarines Sur and elsewhere in the Philippines.
Sindo et al. (Sat,) studied this question.
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