Situation Assessment of Alaska’s Emergent Mariculture Industry

TNC has a 40-year history of operating in Alaska, primarily in Bristol Bay and Southeast Alaska. TNC works around the globe to catalyze the growth of restorative aquaculture and has been working on the ground with farmers in Indonesia, North America, East Africa and Central America since 2016 to promote restorative farming practices that benefit water quality, improve habitat, and reduce carbon emissions, while providing food and high-quality jobs in coastal communities. TNC’s Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR) program has supported Alaskan oyster farmers from Kodiak to Southeast and our Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition includes members from across the state. 

Supported by TNC’s Global Aquaculture and Emerald Edge programs, The Nature Conservancy in Alaska has conducted this report to better understand the full picture of the mariculture industry in Alaska as it stands today. This report focuses mainly on seaweed and oyster mariculture and explores basic questions concerning Alaska’s history and growth in the mariculture space, market opportunities and challenges, environmental benefits, policy landscape, and stories from different groups working in mariculture across Alaska.