The province of Bali was the first place where extensive commercial seaweed farming began in Indonesia about thirty years ago. Since then the cultivation and processing of seaweeds has become a significant industry that provides income for tens of thousands of people in coastal communities throughout the country. Currently the Indonesian seaweed industry is primarily based on seaweeds that serve as raw material for carrageenans and agars. Although a processing industry has developed in Indonesia, most cultivated seaweeds are still exported as raw, dried seaweeds. With its vast geographic, natural and human resources there is tremendous scope for diversification and expansion of seaweed-based industries in Indonesia. In order to make that happen it is necessary to mobilize “seaweed science for sustainable prosperity” and that is the theme for the 21st International Seaweed Symposium.

Bali lies just 8.4° (375 km) south of the equator. The tropical climate of Bali is consistently hot and sunny. Days are almost universally 12 hours long with sunrise approximately at 6:10 a.m. and sunset at about 6:30 p.m. depending on the time of year. The daytime temperature averages between 27° C and 32° C (80° F and 90° F) in the southern lowlands (the main tourist venues). Humidity is quite high - a sticky 75% so it often feels much hotter. Average temperature in the mountains is between 20° C and 25° C (70° F and 80° F). At night the mountains can get downright chilly - so bring a sweater if you plan to overnight there.

Bali’s tropical monsoon climate has two distinct seasons: dry (May to September) and wet (October to April). Monsoon refers to the wind, not the rain. However, even during the wet monsoon there is a good chance that it will be sunny for a good part of the day. The weather during May, June and July is generally considered the best. Be advised that the time in Bali is GMT + 8 hours.