In this paper, Widowati et al. estimate the potential area and carbon absorbed in seaweed cultivation in the Takalar water area in South Sulawesi and estimate the increase in the local economy if potential areas were optimally cultivated. The research is based on data collected through satellite imagery, base maps, spatial data and field surveys. It found that existing seaweed cultivation covers less than 10 per cent of the potential area of 59,731 hectares. Based on this data and the large amount of carbon content obtained (20.73 ± 1.73 per cent), the amount of carbon emission that can be absorbed is equal to 71,531,381.82 to 120,578,542.70 tons C per cycle. If the cultivation of seaweed in Takalar were optimized, the total price of seaweed could reach US$45,250,334, increasing local GDP by 28 per cent. This study provides useful evidence for scaling up investment in seaweed cultivation in farming communities. The methods could be easily applied in other coastal areas in Indonesia to measure similar variables. However, the authors suggest that further study be undertaken to improve the analysis for more concrete estimation of the suitable area.