THE collective heartbeat of the residents of Sulaa village (Betoambari subdistrict, Bau Bau City, Southeast Sulawesi) cannot be detached from the sea. It’s as if children are predestined to have their lives governed by the sea before they are even born into the village. Their only choices are to become either fishermen or seaweed farmers.

Take a look at Efendi Sahrudin, for example. The 42-year-old man has been cultivating seaweed since 1990.