The island off the east coast of Africa lures travelers with its
white-sand beaches and spice plantations. But off the tourist-beaten
path, seaweed harvesting, considered women's work,
is now a lucrative industry. By cultivating, picking, drying, and
selling the green stuff for export to Asia and Europe - where it will
be made into gelling agents for cosmetics, ice cream, and medicine - many local women are supporting themselves and, indeed, their fishermen husbands.
