Immersed in Alaska Mariculture: Inside the Exclusive Kodiak Familiarization Experience

At the end of August, the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) hosted a press trip to Kodiak for Forbes reporter Esha Chhabra who covers climate solutions, business and sustainability. Coordinated closely with the Kodiak Ocean Growers Cooperative, the visit highlighted Alaska’s kelp sector and Kodiak’s role as a passionate, collaborative hub driving its growth.

 

The trip opened at the Kodiak Seafood & Marine Science Center, where Allie Conrad shared a tour of the kelp nursery and ongoing innovations in seed production. A kelp-forward lunch and meet‑and‑greet followed, hosted by Missy Good of Alaska Sea Grant and joined by local kelp farmers Alf and Lexa Prior, Chloe Ivanoff and Nick Mangini. In a discussion after lunch the farmers shared insights and challenges of kelp farming and the ways they support each other to build the industry in Kodiak.

The visit continued at Kodiak Island WildSource, the seafood processor owned by the Sun’aq Tribe. CEO Chris Sannito and Stacey Simmons of Koniag Region Investments provided background on the processing plant modifications and project, regional processing capacity and insight into tribally led investments. The waterfront setting and tour underscored how the existing maritime infrastructure is compatible with the new mariculture industry. 

Throughout the visit, multiple farm tours offered a close look at Kodiak’s community, including visits with Alf Pryor of Alaska Ocean Farms and Nick Mangini of Kodiak Island Sustainable Seaweed. The reporter also enjoyed an excursion to Uganik Island for a visit and lunch with Tollef Monson and Adelia Myrick of Alaskan Sea Greens. A scenic road‑system tour added context on Kodiak’s working waterfront — and delivered memorable bear sightings that underscored the wild, uniquely Alaska setting.

This exclusive trip offered rare, firsthand access to Kodiak’s mariculture community — an opportunity designed to showcase the industry’s potential up close and understand the people and places driving its growth. The reporter closed the visit by sharing her enthusiasm and noting she “can’t wait to advocate for the industry” in upcoming articles.