Context: Recently, two new red algal seaweed species have been discovered along India’s coastline.

Key Points

• Two varieties have been discovered along the coasts of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and in Gujarat and Daman Diu, recently.
• The fine and hairy algae Hypnea indica was discovered in Shivrajpur and Somnath Pathan in Gujarat.
• Hypnea Bullata grew along the coastline of Daman and Diu.
• It is for the first time, that these have been discovered along Indian coasts.
• These thrived on rocks that submerged during high tides and remain exposed during low tides.
• Scientists applied morphology with the DNA barcoding technique in order to confirm the novelty of these two species.
• These can fetch good monetary value if commercial-scale cultivation is taken up but seaweed cultivation is yet unpopular in India.

Note: Hypnea contains Carrageenan, a biomolecule commonly used in the food industry that can be a potential raw material for those involved in jelly and ice cream production.

Additional Information
India has a vast coastline of over 7,500 kms. There is a great potential and a need for creating an ecosystem — where farmers and the fishermen communities are scientifically trained in seaweed cultivation.