XVI International Botanical Congess

THE CULTURAL USE OF MARINE ALGAE HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY DOCUMENTED BY MANY COASTAL PEOPLES OF THE WORLD. TRADITIONAL USES OF SEAWEED MAY INCLUDE: FOOD, MEDICINE, SMOKING MATERIAL, AND/OR FOR USE IN CEREMONY, RITUAL, AND TRADE. PERUVIANS CURRENTLY USE SEAWEED FOR FOOD/MEDICINE. IN THE NORTH OF PERU, THE MAIN SEAWEED CONSUMED IS GIGARTINA CHAMISSI (C AG) J AG, LOCAL NAMES FOR THIS SPECIES INCLUDE MOCOCHO, COCHOYUYO, AND YUYO. THIS PRESENTATION EXAMINES THE PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION, AND CONSUMPTION OF G. CHAMISSOI THROUGH A SEASONAL, GENDERED LENS IN THE NORTHERN COASTAL CITY OF TRUJILLO, PERU. GENERAL FINDINGS CONCLUDE THAT HARVESTING OF MOCOCHO IS SEASONALLY GENDERED - MEN COLLECT IN THE WINTER AND WOMEN COLLECT IN THE SUMMER.