"Harvesting seaweed" Karimunjawa Local Custom Tip by theo1006

The cultivation of seaweed is an important source of income for the locals of Karimunjawa. One kg of dried seaweed earns them Rp 8000. But how many kgs of wet seaweed are needed for 1 kg of dried seaweed?

Single branches of weed are tied to a long plastic rope. The rope with the weed is then made to float in the sea with the aid of plastic bottles. After 40 days the weed has grown out sufficiently to be harvested. Part of the harvest is cut into pieces to set out into the sea again.

These scenes we saw at Kohin beach, but can be seen at many coastal settlements.
The weed is collected with a boat, then temporarily stored in a basin until the truck comes to collect it. Only then the weed is brought ashore in a small boat and put in baskets for weighing. The baskets are emptied into the truck that takes it to the drying grounds.

As you can see, Helen lent a hand. And all the while children play in and out of the water.