News
The latest news about Alaska mariculture.
AMC Announces Kelp Seed Quality Improvement Research & Development Projects
To scale the kelp industry in Alaska, farmers need reliable access to quality kelp seed. Seed consistency can lower cost structures and improve yield estimates, which can inform business planning and build trust with buyers.
New Ketchikan company aims to kick-start Alaska kelp industry
On a clear March afternoon, John Smet shut off the engine of his workboat as he approached his go-to wild kelp bed. It was high tide, so less kelp was pooling on the surface of the water, making it harder to see.
Helping students understand local seaweed biology
For thousands of years, the Tlingit people have fostered systems of science and education indigenous to their home, allowing each clan to maintain stewardship of their lands.
Dive into Alaska Aquaculture
NOAA Fisheries releases new aquaculture information and education resources page.
In Alaska and British Columbia, Seaweed Farming Holds Promise for People and Nature
By focusing on sustainable and inclusive growth, governments and farmers can provide economic and ecosystem benefits.
Alaska Mariculture Cluster to fund kelp-based biostimulant research
The Alaska Mariculture Cluster has announced its investment in three pioneering projects to research kelp-based biostimulants for use in the agricultural industry.
Woven Peoples and Place: A conversation with regional catalysts for economic development and mariculture
A growing contingent of Southeast Alaskans are driving local economic transformation toward sustainability and Indigenous leadership.
New guide for kelp farmers chronicles more than 100 kinds of seaweed found in Alaska
The waters of Southeast Alaska are an ideal environment to grow species ranging from Pacific oysters to ribbon kelp.
Mariculture Education in Alaska: Current Educational Resources & Efforts
The purpose of this report is to provide a resource to educators, mariculture industry members, community members, and more who are interested in learning of programming, curriculum, and general mariculture education throughout the state of Alaska at this time.
Sea Grant 10-Year Aquaculture Roadmap (2025-2035)
For more than 50 years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) has invested in supporting a sustainable U.S. coastal, marine, and Great Lakes aquaculture.
Kachemak Shellfish Growers: sowing the seeds of success
Sean Crosby gives a behind-the-scenes look at the Kachemak Shellfish Growers’ oyster hatchery in Homer, Alaska – an operation that’s helping to fuel the state’s mariculture boom.
White House National Science and Technology Council Finalizes New Aquaculture Plan, First in 40 Years
In addition to providing a sustainable source of American-raised seafood, aquaculture plays an important role in fisheries restoration.
Kelp vodka wins two awards at 2024 Alaska Symphony of Seafood
Ketchikan, Alaska, U.S.A.-based distillery Uncharted Alaska was among the big winners at this year’s Alaska Symphony of Seafood awards.
The future of Alaska: the Alutiiq Pride perspective
Jeff Hetrick, director of the Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute, a tribally managed marine research facility in Seward, Southeast Alaska, offers insights into the potential offered by the state’s growing mariculture sector, and the pitfalls it needs to overcome.
New video showcases how cooperatives support Alaska’s oyster industry
The newest installment of Alaska Sea Grant’s Meet Your Alaskan Farmer video series documents an exciting development in Alaska mariculture—the expansion of oyster cooperatives—with a spotlight on Alaska Oyster Cooperative on Prince of Wales Island. The video, filmed and edited by FeelReal Films, is now available online as a resource to illustrate the possible benefits of cooperatives for ocean farmers throughout the state.
2025 Mariculture Conference of Alaska
The 2025 Mariculture Conference of Alaska will be held in Sitka, located on Baranof Island in the Alexander Archipelago of Southeast.
Building a family oyster farm in Alaska
Greg Bates of Alaska Shellfish Farms recounts how he and his family have managed to grow their oyster business over the course of 17 years.
Kodiak’s kelp farms are set to expand
The kelp farms of Kodiak are now ready to expand, if buyers – and the necessary processing infrastructure to serve them – emerge on time.
Don’t fret Alaska, kelp is on its way
Kelp culture is still in its infancy in Alaska, but Evie Witten of the Kachemak Kelp Hub has plenty of ideas to unlock the market potential of the world’s fastest-growing seaweed.
Mothers of Millions: how fishers can venture into mariculture
How can fishers dabble in mariculture? Two ladies in Alaska show us how to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Connecting Aquaculture Enthusiasts from Across the World
Members of the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region Aquaculture team attended the international seaweed growing conference Seagriculture, USA Sept.11-12 in Ketchikan, Alaska.
Kodiak Lab adds oyster research to its repertoire, hopes to support mariculture on the island
The Alaska Fisheries Science Center Kodiak Lab is currently conducting research that could support oyster farming.
Fresh insights into Alaska’s Mariculture sector
The Alaska Mariculture Insights Project, which offers essential benchmarks, insights and industry data aimed at showcasing Alaska’s mariculture industry, has officially been launched today.
Alaska Sea Grant welcomes new shellfish mariculture specialist
Alaska Sea Grant is pleased to announce the addition of James Crimp as the program’s shellfish mariculture specialist, based in Juneau, Alaska.
Foodies and Foragers of the North: Kelp can help round out a meal
Alaska’s abundance of seafood allows us to anchor our cuisine around salmon, halibut, crab, and shellfish caught in our pristine waters. Yet, we frequently miss opportunities to include the savory umami flavor that seaweed offers to satiate and nourish the body.
Marine Biologics Partners to Develop Ingredients from Alaskan Kelp
Planetary health and macroalgae innovator Marine Biologics has announced funding from the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation’s Joint Innovations Project for an innovative partnership with three Kodiak-based seaweed farms: Alaska Ocean Farms, Alaska Sea Greens, and Spruce Island Farms.
Kodiak Ocean Bounty Grows Oysters in Rural Alaska
This Tide to Table Profile features Erik O’Brien, an oyster farmer working to anchor jobs and food in his rural Alaska community.
NOAA Fisheries Releases 2024 Alaska Aquaculture Accomplishments Report
In 2024, the NOAA Alaska Regional Office and the Alaska Fisheries Science Center continued supporting Alaska’s aquaculture industry.
Seagriculture Conference: Ketchikan Daily News
A quick word of gratitude for all involved in bringing the international Seagriculture conference to Ketchikan this week.
Sea Grant to seek consumer attitudes about ocean products
Alaska Sea Grant will share in new funding from NOAA to find out how to better understand consumer knowledge about seafood and mariculture products.
Alaska seafood featured at national event
Alaska Sea Grant and partners recently participated in the 45th annual NOAA Sustainable Seafood Celebration in Washington, D.C., with vendors from across the country bringing awareness to sustainable local seafood and fisheries.
Scotland mariculture exchange to benefit domestic production
Alaska Sea Grant, in partnership with Connecticut Sea Grant, sponsored an opportunity for two mariculture business owners from Alaska and two from Connecticut to learn more about the seaweed industry in Scotland.
Alaska Sea Grant State Fellowship welcomes its 10th class
Sixteen early-career scientists and professionals were selected for the 2024–2025 Alaska Sea Grant State Fellowship. These Fellows will start this summer and fall, working around the state in support of Alaska’s coastal communities and marine resources.
Invasive European green crab carapaces found at Gravina Island’s Bostwick Inlet
“The anticipated movement of invasive European green crab farther into this area was verified Thursday when 11 carapaces of Carcinus maenas were collected on the shore of Gravina Island’s Bostwick Inlet, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.” – Ketchikan Daily News
A seaweed exchange: Alaskan seaweed farmers visit Scotland
“From May 4 to May 12 an Alaskan delegation of seaweed farmers visited Scotland to learn more about different technologies and processes in the industry.” – The Cordova Times
Alaska mariculture push gaining traction in effort to reach USD 100 million in value
A push to grow Alaska’s mariculture sector is rapidly gaining traction but faces new challenges, according to a February 2024 NOAA report.
NOAA Fisheries report points to growth in Alaska mariculture efforts
The NOAA Alaska Regional Office and the Alaska Fisheries Science Center continue to coordinate efforts to support the growing Alaska aquaculture industry.
Turns out undersea kelp forests are crucial to salmon
The beloved fish that feed orcas and humans depend on kelp forests’ unique habitat.
Cordova kelp farmers need to process their harvest. A scientist is piloting a solution.
Alysha Cypher with the Prince William Sound Science Center has a $400,000 EPA grant to use waste heat from the local electric co-op to dry Cordova seaweed.
U.S. Department of Energy announces teams selected to explore critical mineral extraction from ocean macroalgae
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $5 million in funding for three projects to evaluate the feasibility of extracting Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) from macroalgae for use in energy applications.
NOAA Fisheries releases its 2023 Alaska Aquaculture Accomplishments Report
The NOAA Alaska Regional Office and the Alaska Fisheries Science Center continue to coordinate efforts to support the growing Alaska aquaculture industry.
The Washington Post–Alaska’s newest gold rush: Seaweed
Alaska underscores both the urgency in developing the industry, and its promise. The communities here are losing their livelihoods and food faster than in many other places. In Alaska, ocean farming could chart a different path from the sort of extraction that’s defined it for more than two centuries.
Foundations of Kelp Farming: Educating the new wave of aquatic farmers
In order to increase workforce development in the Alaskan kelp farming industry, Alaska Sea Grant hosted the four-day intensive hands-on workshop Foundations of Kelp Farming at the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center in March.
Mariculture Research and Restoration Consortium: a 10-year project for Alaska
Funded by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, the Mariculture Research and Restoration Consortium is a partnership between scientists and Alaska seaweed and shellfish farmers.
2023 Seaweed State of the Industry
Phyconomy tracks the seaweed economy worldwide, and aims to “improve the flow of information in the seaweed industry” by maintaining a seaweed company database, newsletter, job board and publishing an annual Seaweed State of the Industry.
Sustainable Pacific Oyster Farming
Pacific oysters are a smart seafood choice because they are sustainably grown and harvested under state and federal regulations.
Federal grant to boost Alaska’s mariculture industry
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently committed $49 million to grow Alaska’s mariculture industry. The award is one of 21 nationally chosen from more than 500 applications.
Shared Stewardship
In Southeast Alaska, tribal leaders and local entrepreneurs are helping shape a kelp industry that prioritizes Indigenous values, regenerative practices and a commitment to Alaska Native shareholders.
Seafood safety and technology updates from the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center
Pacific oysters are a smart seafood choice because they are sustainably grown and harvested under state and federal regulations.