Caulerpa species have creeping rhizomes that grow across the substratum, and gives rise to strap-like, feathery or button-like blades. Caulerpa is a common component of seaweed communities in tropical and subtropical waters. Many of these species are found in Japan, Indonesia, China, the Philippines and Taiwan.

Caulerpa lentillifera is cultivated in ponds and open lagoons, and other species of Caulerpa are cultivated in cages.

Pond cultivation is usually done in abandoned fish ponds or those with marginal production. Hence the investment is low for the conversion of these ponds and the ponds generally fit the ecological requirements of Caulerpa culture. i.e. far from fresh water and pollution sources.

Development of a selected site into a Caulerpa area consists of several major activities such as site selection, pond construction, management and fertilization, planting of ponds, harvest and post harvest activities.

Several factors are important when selecting a site , such as: the distance to a source of unpolluted sea water supply, the essential distance the pond must be away from fresh water sources such as rivers and creeks, the site must be protected, substratum must be muddy and soft, and the level of the pond should be at, or just a little above, the low tide level.

Before planting is done, the ponds must be drained of water to a depth of 0.3m.The seedstock is planted on the pond bottom at approximately one-meter intervals, using string as a guide.After planting, the depth of the ponds should be adjusted to about 0.5 - 0.8m. Flooding should be done slowly so that newly planted seedstock are not uprooted by the water currents.

Newly planted ponds should be inspected after a few days and bare areas replanted to insure uniform growth of the Caulerpa crop. The pond is then managed, by changing the water at least everyday, weeding is done, the ponds are repaired and maintained, and the fertilization also proves to be effective. Then Caulerpa is finally ready for harvesting.

Open lagoon cultivation:

The site for this type of cultivation needs to have certain ecological characteristics. shallow (0.3 - 0.5m, at lowest tide, with free-flowing water) muddy-loam substratum protected from strong waves. Caulerpa cuttings are half buried into the muddy substratum at 0.5m intervals, after the area is cleared of seagrasses and other seaweeds. The Caulerpa plots are monitored and weeded to allow the Caulerpa to establish itself.

Cage cultivation of Caulerpa is practiced in the tropical waters of Yonaha Bay, Miyako Island, Okinawa, Japan. Small bundles of thalli, are cut into 10cm sections and are tied to the middle of the floor of each stage of the cages which are then hung in the sea. Mesh bags which are tied around the cages also produce good results. If the cultivation ground is too shallow to hang the cages, mosquito nets (1m x 10m) with bundles of cut pieces tied at intervals of 0.5 - 1m are laid on the bottom, parallel to the currents. The cages require cleaning periodically.

USES OF CAULERPA:

Some of the species of Caulerpa are edible and are traditionally utilized as food in the form of fresh vegetable/salad. Caulerpa lentillifera is one of the favored species due to it's soft and succulent texture. In Thailand, Caulerpa racemosa is common in the Phuket market, where 10-20kg is sold per day, for use in spicy sauces. In Fiji and other Pacific Islands, naturally harvested, is also sold widely in markets, and used as a ‘salad' vegetable. Caulerpa contains calerpin and caulerpicin which functions as mild anaestethics and which therefore has clinical value. In some Pacific Islands, Caulerpa produces toxins which are presumably a deterrent to predators. Still, some fish eat it, and may in turn become poisonous to humans.