Approximately 20,000 seaweed species are identified, with 221 species
commercially utilized [34]. Databases currently list 931 Sargassum
taxa, with 336 currently accepted taxonomically [13]. The Indian coastline
supports 56 Sargassum species [35] growing luxuriantly on rocks,
boulders and hard substrata in open surf-beaten habitats, forming
large beds acting as feeding and breeding grounds for many types of
fish, shellfish and other marine organisms. Amongst different species
of Sargassum, Sargassum wightii grows abundantly throughout the year on both the east and west coasts of India. S. wightii is commercially
harvested for alginate extractionmainly from Mandapamand potentially
for a good nutritional and caloric foodstock source.