Jamaluddin Fitrah Alam, Asmi Citra Malina A.R Tasakka, Kasmiati, Nita Rukminasari, Mahatma Lanuru, Inayah Yasir, Syafyudin Yusuf, Widyastuti and Dalvi Mustafa
Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Protein needs have increased over time with the increase in the human population. Increased protein demand will place pressure on the production of existing sources mainly terrestrial vegetable and animal-based proteins. The terrestrial protein sources are now getting more constrained by the increasingly limited availability of land and supply of fresh water. It is necessary to find alternative complementary protein sources that are not only environmentally friendly but also do not require the availability of land and fresh water and can be produced sustainably. Seaweed is a sustainable biological resource that is a promising alternative because it is rich in protein. Indonesia is one of the largest seaweed producers in the world, although current seaweed cultivation is for carrageenan and agar production. However, with high seaweed biodiversity of as many as 911 species, the potential for the development of high protein seaweed is possible. Exploration was conducted to find future protein supply from tropical high protein seaweed Porphyra spp. in Indonesia. The explorations were conducted from June-November 2021 in the central and eastern parts of Indonesia. In 30 locations explored by considering the natural habitat and conditions of the growth of Porphyra spp., two natural growth locations habitat of Porphyra spp in Indonesia were located, namely in Ambon and Bali. The discovery of these locations shows the potential for the cultivation of future protein sources of Porphyra spp. in Indonesia considering that this species can live and grow in its natural habitat in the tropical waters of Indonesia.