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Alaska Mariculture

Vision: Grow a $100 million mariculture industry in 20 years.

Research & Development

Downloads

  • The Mariculture Task Force Final Report to the Governor

    Updated: May 2021

  • Alaska Mariculture Fact Sheets

    Updated: February 2023

  • Alaska Seaweed Industry Expansion Scenarios

    Updated: May 2022

  • Alaska Seaweed Marketing and Communications Plan

    Updated: February 2022

  • Assessment of Alaska Seaweed Processing Locations

    Updated: January 2022

  • Seaweed Market Assessment

    Updated: August 2021

Supporting development of Alaska mariculture

Alaska has all the qualities of an ideal environment for mariculture: clean and abundant waters, hardy citizens with maritime experience, the existing seafood industry and infrastructure, and the Alaska seafood brand. The state has research and development capacity at the University and industry level, as well as a sophisticated seafood marketing organization that effectively reaches consumers all over the nation and the world. The regulatory process and agencies are accessible, and the Legislature has been supportive, including funding $5 million for a new mariculture matching grant program.

Along with these strengths come challenges. Since 2014, AFDF has been a champion of development of this young industry, strategically working with partners to identify key barriers and turning challenges into opportunities. The Alaska Mariculture Initiative (AMI) has encapsulated this work over 8 years, two gubernatorial administrations, and many milestones.

  • 2013: The AFDF Board of Directors holds a strategic planning session in which they identify mariculture as a new area of focus for the organization.
  • 2014: AFDF is awarded funding from NOAA Fisheries to lead the Alaska Mariculture Initiative (AMI) Phase 1.
  • 2016: Based on early successes of the AMI, Governor Walker establishes the Mariculture Task Force (MTF) under Administrative Order which includes AFDF, the State of Alaska, and many other key stakeholders.
  • 2016-2018: The MTF oversees an economic analysis (see Phase 1: Case Studies and Phase 2: An Economic Framework for Mariculture in Alaska) to inform a comprehensive statewide planning document (The Alaska Mariculture Development Plan).
  • 2018: Governor Walker extends the MTF until August 2021; Governor Dunleavy takes office in December 2021, continues support of the MTF and its work under the new administration.
  • 2019: The MTF approves a 5-Year Action Plan, a working document to guide short-term, strategic development of the industry.
  • 2021: The MTF presents the Final Report to the Governor; per Administrative Order, the MTF sunsets and is replaced by the Alaska Mariculture Alliance (AMA).
  • 2022: Through the EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge, the Alaska Mariculture Cluster receives $49 million + match to support mariculture development in the state.
  • 2022: The Alaska Legislature and Governor Dunleavy appropriates $5 million for a new mariculture matching grant program to be administered by the AMA.


Alaska Governor Bill Walker signs AO #297 extending the Mariculture Task Force until 2021, and HB #76 allowing shellfish and seaweed hatcheries to apply for the Mariculture Revolving Loan Fund. August 27th, 2018.

Want to learn more?

Check out our some of our key partners:


New Resource Highlight

Alaska Mariculture Fact Sheets

Check out our new Alaska Mariculture Fact Sheets that address common questions about farm scale, marine mammal entanglement, impacts to the ocean floor, synergies with the fishing industry, and more! You can download the fact sheets here.

What We’re Working On

Dedicated to identifying problems in the Alaska seafood industry and developing solutions effective and sustainable solutions through research & development.

  • seswcd.org/mariculture

    SE soil & water

    As you know, the Southeast Soil & Water Conservation District has three key focus areas in Southeast Alaska: Food Security, Mariculture, and Invasive...

  • fishermensnews.com

    AFDF seeks proposals for AMI

    The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation is seeking proposals for its Alaska mariculture initiative, an economic analysis to inform a statewide str...

  • seafoodnews.com

    Proposals now being sought to gauge economic potential of Alaskan mariculture (Fish Radio)

    This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – Alaska retaliates against Russia’s seafood boycott reactions and help wanted to get Alaska mariculture moving

  • petersburgpilot.com

    Kelp Craze – Fish Factor – Petersburg Pilot

    Kelp is the latest crop that fish farmers are cashing in on and Alaska could follow Canada’s innovation and success.

  • fishermansnews.com

    AFDF Announces New Mariculture Initiative

    The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, a private nonprofit foundation dedicated to creating new opportunities in Alaska's commercial fisheries,...

  • fishermansnews.com

    NOAA Funds Mariculture Industry Development Plan in Alaska

    The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation has been awarded a $216,812 federal grant to expedite development of the mariculture industry in the state...