NOAA Fisheries Alaska has spent the last year building its aquaculture program. Together the Alaska Regional Office and the Alaska Fisheries Science Center strive to support industry and management needs to foster responsible Alaskan farmed shellfish and seaweed.
Sustainable marine aquaculture—also referred to as mariculture in Alaska—helps support Alaska’s blue economy, contributing to sustainable seafood, and local economies. Seaweed and shellfish aquaculture have been shown to provide ecosystem benefits including buffering against ocean acidification, shoreline stabilization, and reducing nitrogen levels in coastal environments. Aquaculture also establishes economic opportunities via the creation of jobs, eco-tourism, and contributions to the seafood sector.
Alaskan aquaculture has room to grow, and efforts are underway to promote and expand this sustainable industry. This presentation will highlight a variety of projects and actions undertaken by the Alaska Regional Office and Alaska Fisheries Science Center to advance our Joint Alaska Aquaculture Action Plan along the following focal areas:
As Alaska’s marine aquaculture industry continues to grow, NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office and Science Center will play an increasing role in the management, policy, and research that will help build this sustainable food source to complement the region’s wild-capture fisheries. Building off our Aquaculture Action Plan and prioritizing efforts based on our agency’s strengths, and management and industry needs, will help us focus efforts to best serve Alaska.