Sustainable seaweed aquaculture development in the Mekong Delta under climate change

Abstract

This structured narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on the development of seaweed aquaculture in the Mekong Delta under climate change. Literature searches were conducted through 30 June 2026 using Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, followed by screening and thematic synthesis. The Mekong Delta is increasingly exposed to sea-level rise, salinity intrusion, and extreme weather events, which are undermining the viability of conventional agricultural systems and rural livelihoods. In this context, identifying climate-resilient and sustainable production alternatives has become an urgent regional priority. Seaweed aquaculture has emerged as a promising nature-based option because of its potential to generate economic benefits, deliver ecosystem services, and enhance coastal resilience in low-lying and climate-vulnerable areas of the Delta. By integrating environmental, economic, and institutional perspectives, this review examines seaweed aquaculture as a climate-responsive and policy-relevant pathway for coastal development in the region. The review indicates that seaweed farming could support climate adaptation, nutrient removal, livelihood diversification, and broader ecosystem-service provision in the Mekong Delta. Current regional evidence most clearly documents the red seaweed Gracilaria tenuistipitata in improved-extensive shrimp and shrimp–crab pond systems. However, its expansion remains constrained by interconnected environmental, financial, institutional, and technological barriers. In response, the study proposes a policy-oriented framework for sustainable scaling, emphasizing that the long-term viability of seaweed aquaculture in the Mekong Delta depends on the effective alignment of technological innovation, market development, and institutional support. Overall, the review positions seaweed aquaculture not merely as an alternative production activity, but as a strategic option for sustainable coastal transformation under climate change.