100 kilos of turbinaria ornata algae are collected every week by the Tamarii no te moana association. The primary objective was to protect the lagoon, this invasive variety being harmful to the growth of corals. “ Because of man’s impact on nature, the water will be loaded with nutrientsexplains the president of the association Bastien Allegret. In relation to agriculture, in relation to the discharge of rivers, therefore pollution… Unfortunately, the algae will proliferate much more easily to the detriment of the corals which will be stressed and will potentially die. Afterwards, there will be a fast shift, therefore an exponential development of the algae and greater mortality of the corals. » .
Throughout the collections, the association sought to promote this proliferating algae. Two solutions presented themselves: the use of algae in agriculture and in cosmetic products. “ We found a partnership for agriculture, we are in the testing phase to see if it works, continues Bastien Allegret. The second partnership that we are going to see right after is Heiva Cosmetics. We transformed algae into monoi and soap » .
In addition to the manufacture of soaps and other treatment oils, the Comptoir des Plantes Polynésiennes continues to deepen its knowledge of algae, which could also present numerous beneficial properties for health, according to its manager Philippe Maunier. “ We saw that the indications were very interesting in terms of everything in the ENT sphere too, everything that was bronchitis, things like that. We were also very interesting for everything related to liver function, to tone up liver functions. » , he specifies.
Other pathologies could be treated. “ For everything that is sedative for rheumatic pain, hypertension, in addition to traditional medicinesadds Philippe Maunier. A whole bunch of very interesting indications for the future. We would like to develop this on a broader level » .
The Tamarii no te moana association will continue its algae collection while setting up a new project: a film on the coral reef and protected species. Intended for schools, it will be viewable via augmented reality headsets.
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