Nationwide aquaculture production is valued at $1.5 billion and the industry also supports other sectors such as seafood processing, feed and equipment manufacturing, and food services. In many fishing and coastal communities, aquacultures creates year-round jobs, supports resilient working waterfronts and coastal communities, and provides important economic diversification opportunities.įor example, in 2019 aquaculture production sales in Alaska totaled $1.4 million. In addition, the Alaska Fisheries Science Center has been conducting research and forming partnerships to support and expand the aquaculture within the state and connect to the national effort. The workshop brought together a wide variety of mariculture stakeholders to discuss emerging issues, identify needs related to three main topics – research, policy/permitting, and access to capital – and determine how the agency can best engage in these areas to help develop marine aquaculture in Alaska. To help Alaskans advance this ambitious goal, the Alaska Regional Office and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission held the first NOAA Fisheries Alaska Mariculture Workshop in Ketchikan, Alaska January 21-22, 2020. The initiative and Task Force have increased awareness and confidence in private sector investment, helping lead to a 400% increase in new farm applications to the state. In 2016, Alaska Mariculture Initiative formed a Mariculture Task Force and laid out a comprehensive Mariculture Development Plan to accelerate the development of mariculture to grow a $100 million industry over the next 20 years. Currently, most farming operations are located along the coastline in either Southeast or Southcentral Alaska. Finfish farming is prohibited by law in state waters. Research activities include sea cucumbers, geoducks, and blue and red king crab. To date, commercial aquaculture activities have been relatively small-scale and have involved Pacific oysters, seaweed, blue mussels. In Alaska, marine aquaculture contributes to restoration efforts, and is increasing economic opportunities for coastal communities through the farming of

Credit: Mike Stekoll, University of Alaska.

Scientists check a longline outplanting of sugar kelp at an experimental site near Coghlan Island, Alaska.

Fishing planet level 39 alaska