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Abstract

Seagrape (Caulerpa lentillifera J.Agardh, 1837) and red seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty ex P.C.Silva, 1996) are commercially important species, which contain many beneficial nutrients including mineral substance, molecules relevant and vitamin. They are known to be useful for human and as the main materials for extracting carrageenan. Two culture models of seaweeds (cultivating in concrete ponds and in floating cages) were implemented from 2018 - 2019 at the offshore Islands in Vietnam. The culture model in concrete ponds was performed at Ly Son Island (Quang Ngai, middle of Vietnam). After each culture batch in this model (35 days), seaweeds developed well with seedling productivity of 4.61 ± 0.82 kg raw seaweed/frame 90x80cm; growth rate of 1.78 ± 0.25 %/day; proportion of vertical seaweed body of 62.6 ± 3.5%; proportion of 5-cm vertical seaweed body of 28.7 ± 1.9% (edible seaweeds); average harvestable yield of 1.33 ± 0.16 kg/frame 90x80cm. The culture model in floating cages was performed at Phu Quy Island (Binh Thuan, middle of Vietnam). After each culture batch in these floating cages (60 days), seaweeds developed well with seedling productivity of 0.7 ± 0.068 kg raw seaweed/piece (20-25 pieces/line suspended inside cage) and growth rate of 3.74 ± 0.19 %/day. These results provide a platform towards large-scale farming of these commercial seaweeds at the offshore Islands in Vietnam.