Taiwan’s ageing seaweed harvesters hope younger women wade in to keep tradition alive

In Taiwan's Magang fishing village, 72-year-old Wu Feng-chiao continues a generations-old tradition, harvesting seaweed along the rocky northeastern coast. Known as 'hainu,' or 'sea women,' these women brave crashing waves and slippery rocks to gather gelidium algae, locally called 'stone flowers.' Wu has dedicated over half a century to this practice, learned from her father in her youth.

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If it’s in your blood, you’ll naturally want to learn, right? Even if you just come here, gather something from the sea and eat it, that’s already part of being a hainu.

The work is physically demanding, requiring quick reflexes to avoid powerful waves and the strength to haul heavy sacks of seaweed, weighing up to 25 kilograms, over treacherous terrain. "It's tough work... the hardest part is carrying the seaweed back. It's very heavy and your shoulders ache afterwards," Wu told AFP. Despite the hardships, her passion for the sea and the tradition keeps her going.

However, Wu fears this marine harvest tradition could vanish with her generation. Younger Taiwanese increasingly seek opportunities in cities, leaving remote coastal villages like Magang with few successors. Currently, only about four women in Magang, all in their 70s or older, regularly collect 'stone flowers.' Wu hopes that a deep-seated connection to the sea might inspire younger women to learn the craft, even if just to gather and consume its bounty.

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The seaweed grows around big rocks, when there are big waves, you have to move aside quickly. If a wave hits you, you can get hurt.

The harvested seaweed is processed into agar-agar, a jelly-like substance. After drying for about four days, the algae is washed and boiled. Approximately 300 grams of dried algae can yield about 50 bottles of agar-agar cooler, each selling for around $1.30. While not a path to great wealth, it provides a modest income for the aging 'sea women.' The tradition shares similarities with South Korea's 'haenyeo' free-diving culture, though Taiwan's sea women do not dive underwater.

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It’s tough work… the hardest part is carrying the seaweed back. It’s very heavy and your shoulders ache afterwards.