The 25th International Seaweed Symposium hosted by the City of Victoria, Ocean Networks Canada, Cascadia Seaweed, and the Pacific Seaweed Industry Association was held from May 4 – 9, 2025 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. This gathering brings together researchers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts to discuss the latest advancements in seaweed science and industry. Importantly this platform serves for exchanging knowledge, fostering collaboration, and exploring the diverse and potential in seaweed. At this 25th event, a team from the Pacific including participants from Samoa, Fiji and Solomon Islands including representative from the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources from Kiribati also participated. At the symposium, a session provides the Pacific team to share their reflections on traditional knowledge, and modern science contributions in the seaweed industry. Kiribati and Samoa interestingly shared outcomes of a peer-to-peer training that occurred in 2018, valuing the importance of traditional knowledge with Kiribati women learning from the Samoan Fisheries officers on sea grape harvest to the creation of dishes to promote supplements for diets. The project, funded under the Australian Government through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research implemented by the University of the Sunshine Coast in 3 pilot countries, Fiji, Kiribati and Samoa.

Words of acknowledgement to the Canada International Development Research Center (IDRC) through USC for extension of invitation to Kiribati to explore possible opportunities to connect and seek partnerships in the seaweed development space.