Alaskans’ interest in shellfish and seaweed farming is growing. Both the Alaska Mariculture Development Plan in 2018, and the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Mariculture Workshop Summary Report in 2020, identified the need for a central clearing house of aquaculture permitting information and an online permitting portal to aid aquaculture applicants. This nascent industry often found the permitting process confusing and cumbersome. Farmers are required to file multiple permits with four or more state and federal agencies, for a permitting process that can take years.
To address this barrier, NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region and Alaska Sea Grant partnered to create user-friendly tools to guide applicants through the permitting process. An interagency working group of state and federal agencies involved in permitting aquatic farms reviewed each permitting step and drafted tools to help navigate the process. Prospective and existing farmers then reviewed the materials for usability. Experienced farmers provided additional feedback and suggestions for applicants to consider before starting the application process and siting a farm.
This presentation will share information from the Alaska Aquaculture Permitting Guidance document, and walk through highlights of the permitting portal. Both resources contain: “getting started” guidance; an application process step-by-step guide and accompanying flowchart; siting information; permit amendment, renewal, and transfer information; resources for new growers; and the basics of aquaculture governance in Alaska. The portal is scheduled to go live in time for the 2022 application cycle.