Alaska Sea Grant Advisory Committee Annual Meeting November 7-8, 2016 Growing Mariculture in Alaska – Alaska Sea Grant’s role Gary Freitag - Ketchikan MAP Quentin Fong – Kodiak MAP
Sea Grant Aquaculture Extension 2015: Alaskan Mariculture Diversification, Innovation and Technology Transfer
Why Mariculture Aquaculture in Alaska has had a long history through salmon enhancement, with an annual value of $100 to $200 million over the last decade (too the economy it is several times this). However, the farm gate value of the mariculture of invertebrate shellfish has grown to just about $1 million since 1990 AFDF believes mariculture could be a $1 billion industry in Alaska in 30 years. There are 60 + sea farms operating in the state now( less that 50% having sales), but still sales are topping $1 million. Oysters make up the main crop; shellfish could easily be supplemented with other shellfish and seaweeds.
Demand for seaweeds has soared over the past 50 years, far outstripping wild supplies, says the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. That’s led to mariculture producing more than 90 percent of the global market. Alaska wants in on the action. Governor Walker created an 11 member Alaska Mariculture Task Force by Administrative Order. Governor Walker wants the task force to develop a plan on Alaska mariculture opportunities by March 1, 2018.
The project we are engaged in includes: 3-5 years through oyster culture gear efficiency, and species diversification (ie:purple hinged Rock Scallop) focus on farm diversification in Alaska over the short term(1-2 years through macroalgae seed production, outreach ,infrastructure ,grow-out trials, processing and marketing This project is using the Alaska Sea Grant capacity in partnership with Maine’s seaweed mariculture industry, shellfish farming industry partners and industry experts from around the country to “move the needle forward” and address some of the bottlenecks that are keeping Alaska’s mariculture industry from reaching its potential
Dr. Mike Stekoll’s Project