Rock Platforms: Subtidal Zone - Macrocystis Harvesting
In North America Macrocystis
is harvested commercially using specially designed ships, such as the one shown here. The
mucilage
is used as stabilisers in such diverse products as paint and processed food, eg ice cream.
Several gum-like mucilages have been extracted from species of
Macrocystis: Mucilages, such as the alginic acids in
Macrocystis and
Hormosira, are thought to reduce desiccation.
Neither Macrocystis angustifolia nor Macrocystis pyrifera
are harvested commercially in Australia, although at one time there was a harvesting industry on King Island, Bass Strait.
