KBRN, Denpasar – As the sun begins to peek over the eastern horizon, I Nyoman Puja has already stepped into the shallow waters of Serangan. 

His hands move swiftly, tending to the seaweed farming lines, even though he knows there is no guarantee of a successful harvest. But for Puja, giving up is not an option—he continues to care for his seaweed with unwavering hope and determination. 

Seaweed farming in Serangan is more than just a livelihood. It is heritage, identity, and the very breath of life for coastal communities that have relied on it for decades. Yet, the once-friendly rhythm of the sea has grown increasingly challenging. The weather is unpredictable, water quality unstable, and pests appear without warning. 

“Nowadays, a lot of seedlings get eaten by pests before harvest. Normally, one line can produce eight to ten kilos, but lately, it can end up empty,” said I Nyoman Puja, Head of the Serangan Seaweed Farmers Group. 

This decline in harvests has been ongoing for several months. The presence of elak and tabasan fish pests has been eating away at the carefully cultivated seaweed farms of Serangan’s farmers. 

Despite the challenges, Puja remains grateful for the support received from various parties, including PT Bali Turtle Island Development (BTID). 

“We are not alone. In the past, we transported harvests using jukung (traditional boats) through the water. Now, since BTID built the bridge and road, harvests can be transported by land, making the process much faster and more efficient,” he continued. 

The seaweed cultivated mainly comes from Eucheuma Cottonii and Spinosum. The seedlings are tied horizontally on ropes stretched across shallow waters. Every 30–40 days, the seaweed is ready to be harvested—if the sea conditions allow. 

But ideal conditions are now increasingly rare. Pests strike without any clear pattern, and at times, farmers can only save a small fraction of the seedlings they plant. 

“There are seasons when we harvest not for selling, but simply to ensure that the seedlings don’t disappear entirely—so we can replant for the next season,” Puja explained. 

Since 1996, the number of Serangan seaweed farmers has steadily declined. Many have switched professions due to the uncertainty of yields and increasingly unpredictable marine conditions. 

In such circumstances, Serangan residents no longer rely solely on raw harvests. They have begun processing seaweed into value-added products—from homemade agar and traditional market snacks to rujak bulung (seaweed salad) and lawar laut, two cultural delicacies that are becoming increasingly rare but carry deep cultural meaning. 

The decline in seaweed harvests has also affected small food businesses. Ni Kadek Erni, a rujak bulung vendor in Serangan, shared the difficulty of sourcing the main ingredient. 

“For two months now, we haven’t been able to serve rujak bulung on the menu—it’s just too hard to find bulung boni,” she said. 

Farmers hope for continuous support, including training in more adaptive farming methods and access to stronger seedlings. For them, seaweed is not just a commodity, but a way of life nurtured daily before the break of dawn. 

Nyoman Puja quietly pins his hopes on the younger generation to continue seaweed farming. 

“I can’t predict the future. I can only depend on regeneration, though honestly, it seems difficult for this generation,” he admitted. 

Source :

Cerita Petani Rumput Laut Serangan dan Dukungan BTID