Explanation:

• Seaweeds are a type of marine algae, often found in coastal waters.
• It can vary in size and colour and is used in various industries, including food, cosmetics, and agriculture.
• Seaweed is rich in nutrients and has diverse applications worldwide.
• They are good source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, and a variety of other minerals and amino acids.
• They are the significant source of iodine, which aids thyroid function and combats infection.
• More than 95% of the seaweed harvested for human consumption is cultivated rather than taken from the wild. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Unlike land-based crops, seaweed doesn’t require fertilizer, pesticides, freshwater, or land.
• It grows fast—some marine algae can be ready to harvest in as little as six weeks—and absorbs CO2 while it’s growing, making it a valuable carbon sink.
• Algae also absorbs other excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, and creates new habitats for marine life.Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• • Recently, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying laid the Foundation Stone for a Multi-Purpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu (Valamavur, Ramanathapuram district).
• It is in line with the Union Budget 2021 that India’s first Fisheries Aquapark in form of ‘Multipurpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu’ will be established.
• Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
• • The park aims to promote seaweed cultivation for employment, value-added products, and conservation.
• It involves 136 coastal fishing villages and offers support to entrepreneurs.
• The Multipurpose Seaweed Park is a significant investment to promote seaweed cultivation and research, benefiting scientists, researchers, and local communities.