Donald Chin, Sea Moss Harvesting (DOCO 2024)

The Chai Village is a fishing community near Song Cau Vietnam. It's sea moss harvesting season and the village folks are actively collecting , transporting and drying the sea moss from a very fruitful harvest. They are collected from the shallow waters and rocks surfaces. All the process is done manually and naturally. No machinery is used in the harvesting and drying process, Upon coming back from collecting the sea moss, each bag contains at least 20kg are carried on their back from the boat to the banks of the sea for drying. Here, they are spread out evenly for drying which takes 3 - 5 days depending on the weather. Once dried, they are packed and ready to be sold in the market for US$1 per kg. Even though they are grown in the wild with minimal cost, the village is heavily inhibited by the older generation and children. The younger generation has left for job opportunities in the bigger cities. It's without a doubt the sea moss will become a rear commodity in the future should no-one assumes the role of collecting them.

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