It is no exaggeration to say that Drew-Baker inadvertently saved Japan's entire seaweed industry.
Marine biologist Segawa Sōkichi (瀬川宗吉) read about her detailed findings in 'Nature' magazine in 1949 and was finally able to piece together how to revitalise seaweed production.
To provide fresh fish for shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康 1543-1616), bamboo pens were constructed in Edo Bay to hold live catches. It was discovered that seaweed thrived on the bamboo fences, and soon fishing communities were actively farming the algae on sunken wooden frames.
