Aquaculture is an important sub-sector in Malaysian fisheries and plays a significant role in the national economy. Ensiling is an effective method to preserve seaweeds and should be considered one of the most sustainable sources for aquaculture feed applications. However, Seaweeds generate socio-economic benefits for tens of households, primarily in coastal communities, including numerous women empowered by seaweed cultivation. Shellfish, commercial fishermen, and finfish farmers, who are the main stockholder, will benefit by conserving seaweed as silage for aquaculture feed. Also, they can offer an opportunity to diversify a farming operation or start a new business. Despite these possibilities, there is growing concern over how collected seaweed will benefit local communities in the long run and how it will be preserved using lactic acid bacteria. The sustainability disparity between developed and developing countries, as a result of increased economic interdependence, combined with developing countries’ limited management and governance capacity, is a significant challenge to the 2030 Agenda’s implementation. To eliminate disparities while progressing toward the 2030 target for food security, the global community must assist developing countries. To realize the potential of seaweed silage as an alternative feed for aquaculture, the industry, governments, international organizations, scientific community, civil societies, and other stakeholders or experts must work together.
Keywords: seaweeds; lactic acid bacteria; probiotic; silage; inoculant