Long before anyone could imagine a mariculture industry in Alaska, Indigenous groups valued the importance of shellfish and seaweeds in their diets. In modern times, a century of early commercial efforts led to the development of a modern, strategically planned sector with substantial federal investment and growing infrastructure.
PRE-1900s
Alaska Natives practiced aquatic farming for at least 1,000 years, with evidence of clam garden beds in Southeast Alaska. Kelp has been a component of coastal Indigenous subsistence diets for millenia. 1
EARLY 1900s
Shellfish farming began when Pacific oysters were introduced and seed was planted on beaches in Kachemak Bay and Ketchikan. 2
1938
Alaska Oyster Company leased about 300 acres of Coon Cove and Shoal Cove, both located in Southeast Alaska’s Carroll Inlet, one of several commercial efforts in Southeast Alaska between the 1930s and 1960s. 3
1943
The oyster farming industry peaked but later declined due to regulatory challenges and farm remoteness. 4
2013
Alaska launched its mariculture initiative to promote aquaculture growth in the state. 10
2014
Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation received a NOAA grant for the Alaska Mariculture Initiative to accelerate development with a vision to grow a $1 billion industry in 30 years. 11
2015-2016
Interest in kelp farming began gaining traction, and the State of Alaska partnered with UAF to develop seaweed mariculture permitting protocols and issue permits for the first commercial seaweed hatcheries and farms. 12 13
Alaska had 65 aquatic permits (57 active) with a farm gate value of approximately $868,000. 14
FEB 29, 2016
Governor Walker signed Administrative Order #280 establishing the Alaska Mariculture Task Force to create a comprehensive plan to boost the industry. 14
2016-2018
The Task Force oversaw economic analyses to inform the Alaska Mariculture Development Plan. 15
2016
The first commercial kelp farm was established. 16
2017
Alaska kelp farmers had their first commercial kelp harvests. 17
JUN 2018
AUG 27, 2018
Governor Walker signed Executive Order #297 extending the Task Force and directing them to begin implementing the development plan. 20
2019
Jan 2020
NOAA Fisheries and partners held the first Alaska Mariculture Workshop in Ketchikan bringing together stakeholders to discuss research, policy, and access to capital. 23
2021
2022
In September 2022, Alaska’s mariculture industry received nearly $49 million through the Build Back Better Regional Challenge Grant to support shellfish and seaweed farming. The Task Force’s Mariculture Development Plan was the foundation for the grant, which provides support for mariculture across a variety of sectors, including workforce training, loans for local businesses, marketing, research and innovation, with half the funding directed to underserved communities including Alaska Native entities. 27
Seaweed production reached a record 872,000 pounds harvested. 28
2023
Alaska was named an Aquaculture Opportunity Area by NOAA due to significant growth and outstanding support from government, Tribes, industry, and non-governmental organizations. 29
OCT 2024
There are 14 Alaskan hatcheries and 79 aquatic operation permits issued: 34% for aquatic plants only, 32% for shellfish only, and 34% for combination permits. 30
2026
Construction of Alaska’s first king crab hatchery began on St. Paul Island. The project builds on decades of collaborative research into king crab biology and rehabilitation by a large coalition, including Central Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the University of Alaska, Alaska Sea Grant, Chugach Regional Resources Commission, Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery, NOAA, and other regional fishing and community organizations.
NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science published the Alaska Aquaculture Atlas and Digital Atlas on February 19. The Atlas uses spatial analyses to identify options for Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOA) in the Gulf of Alaska. NOAA in partnership with the State of Alaska, conducted a peer-reviewed siting analysis using hundreds of data types for ocean uses along with data obtained through public input. This is the first time in the AOA process that NOAA released a companion Digital Atlas.
1. Akbizmag 2. Alaska Sea Grant 3. Etolin Report 4. Alaska Sea Grant 5. Etolin Report 6. Etolin Report 7. Alaska Sea Grant 8. NOAA Fisheries 9. NOAA Fisheries 10. NOAA Fisheries 11. Alaska Department of Fish and Game 12. Kelp farming shows promise as new industry | UAF news and information +2 13. NOAA Fisheries 14. Alaska Department of Fish and Game 15. AFDF 16. Alaska Sea Grant 17. AP 18. Alaska Department of Fish and Game 19. Afdf 20. Alaska Department of Fish and Game 21. Afdf 22. NOAA Fisheries 23. NOAA Fisheries 24. AFDF 25. ADFG 26. NOAA Fisheries 27. Afdf 28. Alaska Sea Grant 29. NOAA 30. NOAA