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Seaweed Tissue Analysis Project

Supporting commercialization and production of Alaskan seaweed

Overview

In September 2022, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $49 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) grant to Southeast Conference (SEC) to catalyze a viable mariculture industry in Alaska to support the state’s economy, environment, and communities.

SEC lead the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC), a coalition of mariculture industry members, tribal organizations, regulatory agencies, universities, regional Economic Development Districts, and trade organizations. Under the BBBRC grant, the AMC has designed component projects to address barriers and challenges in the industry to best support the sustainable production of shellfish and seaweed.

Through a subaward to the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF), AMC has funded the Seaweed Tissue Analysis Project. This research and development focused initiative provides a thorough analysis of Alaskan seaweed species by quantifying properties such as bioactive compounds, vitamins and minerals, and other nutritional components. The project and analysis directly supports the commercialization and growth of Alaskan seaweeds by providing insight to variability between species.


Status: Complete
Lead Contractor: Celignis Limited
Funding: $360,000

This foundational study focused on analyzing the nutritional composition, carbohydrate content, and bioactive compounds in Alaskan seaweeds. Celignis conducted extensive testing on samples collected in Kodiak and Sitka in May and June 2024. Using advanced laboratory techniques, Celignis performed more than 40 different analyses per sample, assessing everything from basic macronutrients to specialized metabolites such as fucoidans, alginates, and phlorotannins.

This research is vital for identifying high-value compounds that could support Alaska’s food, agriculture, cosmetics, and biotechnology industries. Data from this project are analyzed under Project #2 to ensure translation into actionable insights for industry stakeholders.

Species: 

  • Agarum clathratum (sea colander)
  • Alaria marginata (winged kelp)
  • Chondracanthus exasperates (turkish towel)
  • Codium fragile (dead man’s fingers)
  • Costaria costata (five-ribbed kelp)
  • Cymathaere triplicata (three-ribbed kelp)
  • Desmarestia viridis (stringy acid kelp)
  • Devaleraea mollis (dulse)
  • Eualaria fistulosa (dragon kelp)
  • Fucus distichus (rockweed)
  • Gracilaria pacifica (red ogo)
  • Hedophyllum nigripes (brown lacy kelp)
  • Macrocystis pyrifera (giant kelp)
  • Nereocystis luetkeana (bull kelp)
  • Opuntiella californica (prickly pear)
  • Saccharina latissima (sugar kelp)
  • Ulva spp. (sea lettuce)

Status: In Progress 
Lead Contractor: Marine Biologics
Funding: $45,000
Species: Same as Project #1

This ongoing project is designed to interpret and synthesize the vast amount of seaweed data produced through Celignis’s lab work (Project #1 above). Marine Biologics is producing species profiles, a comprehensive data set, and memos that surface key findings and recommendations. Their research will evaluate how nutritional, structural, and bioactive compounds vary by season, location, and species. Stakeholder interviews and market assessments will further refine the findings. By summarizing key findings in technical reports, species profiles, and industry benchmarks, this study will help farmers, processors, and policy makers make informed decisions about which species hold the most commercial promise. This work is expected to guide future seaweed tissue research, inform regulatory strategies, and further position Alaska as a leader in sustainable seaweed production.

Status: Complete
Lead Researcher: Cameron Jardell (University of Alaska Fairbanks)
Funding: $20,000

A separate project from the two described above, this study – a master’s thesis project by a University of Alaska Fairbanks student – examined polysaccharides concentrations in farmed kelp in Alaska. These carbohydrates are a focus of several seaweed processing startup companies, with applications in health supplements, medicine, and other markets. This study assessed the relative abundance of four carbohydrates (glucan, mannitol, alginate, and fucoidan) in bull, ribbon, and sugar kelp. AMC funds supported purchases of cultivated kelp, sampling supplies, and lab services. Cameron continues to be involved in development of Alaska mariculture industry and currently works on kelp gametophyte seeding research at the Chugach Regional Resources Commission in Seward.

Species: 

  • Alaria marginata (ribbon kelp)
  • Nereocystis luetkeana (bull kelp)
  • Saccharina latissima (sugar kelp)

Read the M.S. Thesis

2024 Results 

2025 Results