The algae harvest in the “Entre-os-Rios” and the “Douro” regions (North of Portugal) was, from the middle ages to the mid20thcentury, an economic and socially important activity in mainland Portugal, asis clearly demonstrated by the Dionysian and Manueline provincial laws of “Póvoa de Varzim” and “Maia”. In the provinciallaw published on March 9, 1308, granted to the old regiment of Varzim de Jusão and its terms, King D. Dinis determines that the picking of the “Sargaço”, as an economic activity of great importance at that time for fertilizing the land, belonged to its residents.
For more specialized information, please download our Webzine SILKROADIA VOL.1 NO.1, and read "Traditional Use of Seaweed in Agriculture in Mainland Portugal" written by Leonel Pereira, MARE (Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre), Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra.
ⓒ 2019. Leonel Pereira All rights reserved.