Connecting innovation to business
Innovation, product development and good knowledge on seaweed market trends are key areas to be competitive in the global market. Fast changing buyers and consumers requirements for seaweed products have posed threats as well as opportunities for the Indonesian seaweed industry. TSIN tries to develop synergies between R&D seaweed centres, connecting researchers with industry players and bringing innovation to the seaweed community.
About TSIN
Tropical Seaweed Innovation Network (TSIN) is a virtual web-based networking platform among R&D centres in Indonesia for tropical seaweed.
TSIN is a virtual platform for researchers and experts in seaweed to work together, establish synergies and collaboration in research and development for seaweed and seaweed products, and bring innovation to the business community.
TSIN is part of the SECO (Swiss) funded SMART-Fish Programme, jointly implemented by MMAF and UNIDO to improve the competitiveness of the Indonesian seaweed industry. The programme ran from 2014–2019, working closely with partners along the seaweed value chain including farmers, traders, co-operatives, processors and exporters, covering 21 districts in 8 provinces throughout Indonesia.
Background
People, Seaweed, Brighter Tomorrows
Indonesia leads global aquaculture volume, yet collaborative R&D remains the critical missing link.
Seaweed is one of Indonesia's potential marine commodities that contribute to national revenue and income for local communities. In recent years, Indonesia's seaweed production has ranked the highest in aquaculture compared to shrimp, grouper, snapper, carp, milkfish, tilapia and catfish (according to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries). As one of the largest seaweed producers in the world, Indonesia plays an important role in the seaweed chain; however, in terms of seaweed research, development and innovation, Indonesia has somewhat been left behind by other countries. Investment in technology, human resources, and collaboration/networking among institutes, universities and ministries remains lacking, despite a great deal of research and development being carried out by different institutions across the seaweed value chain.
Public efforts in seaweed research, development and innovation in Indonesia are scattered across a wide range of research institutes and universities with qualified staff, but usually not fully dedicated to seaweed. While collaboration between institutions exists, increasing the interaction between them to combine expertise and equipment under a more global strategy would be beneficial.
In parallel, interaction between public research and industry has been limited, focused mostly on dissemination and transfer. Earlier involvement of industry partners in the research strategy would help develop market-driven R&D and innovation.
To address this, TSIN was established with full support from the government, in particular the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, and the Ministry of Industry.
With broad governance, TSIN streamlines and implements the national seaweed strategy and enables nation-wide coordination of research activities — helping reach a critical mass that positively impacts economic development.
Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan
Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kemaritiman dan Investasi
Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi, Sains, dan Teknologi
Kementerian Perindustrian
Core Benefits
TSIN brings together people, knowledge and opportunities to accelerate a more sustainable and prosperous seaweed industry in Indonesia.
Provides opportunities for the up-scaling and commercialisation of innovative products developed by the centres.
Learn more
A marketplace for R&D centres and their experts to showcase products, services and expertise to the public, particularly industry.
Learn more
Provides a platform for industry players and the public to get direct access to R&D centres, their experts and services.
Learn more
How TSIN Came to Be
A collaborative journey towards a stronger Indonesian seaweed industry.
Round table discussion in Makassar (7–8 August 2017), in conjunction with Hakteknas 2017, discussed the establishment of a Seaweed Innovation Centre/Network. Two agreements were reached: to establish a virtual (WhatsApp group) TSIC, and for SMART-Fish to carry out mapping of R&D seaweed centres in Indonesia.
Be Part of a Stronger Seaweed Community
Join the network and help shape a more innovative and sustainable seaweed industry in Indonesia.