Overview
The AMC Kelp Seed Quality Improvement program is an important step towards addressing kelp seed quality and consistency in Alaska and represents AMC’s commitment to adapt our program to respond to emerging industry needs.
To scale the kelp industry in Alaska, farmers need reliable access to quality kelp seed. Seed consistency can lower cost structures and improve yield estimates, which can inform business planning and build trust with buyers. Research by McKinley Research Group and the Pacific Shellfish Institute, funded by AMC and summarized in a November 2024 report, found that poor seed quality and failures at the hatchery level contributed to decreased kelp yields in 2024 and are a significant issue currently impacting the Alaska seaweed industry.
To address this issue, Southeast Conference (SEC), on behalf of the AMC, issued a request for proposals (RFP) for Kelp Seed Quality Improvement in December 2024. Through a competitive review process, four organizations have been awarded funding to advance kelp seed quality improvement projects.
Click to jump to a project:
These projects represent a significant investment in Alaska’s mariculture future. By improving kelp seed quality, standardizing nursery operations, kickstarting kelp gametophyte seeding research, and developing a greater understanding of the genetic implications of different seeding methods, the AMC is laying the groundwork for a robust and sustainable industry.
GreenWave
Optimizing Kelp Seed Production: Standardizing Procedures and Fostering Knowledge Exchange among Alaska’s Nursery Operators
Funding: $214,930
Region: All Regions
Project Start: May 2025
Lindsay Olsen and Dave Bailey with GreenWave will lead this project, which includes hosting a hands-on workshop at the Prince William Sound Science Center with participants from all 7 active kelp nurseries in Alaska. During the workshop, GreenWave will work with nursery operators to develop standard operating procedures and implement methods to reduce contamination and increase seed quality. Additionally, they will assist nursery operators in selecting, purchasing, and installing basic infrastructure upgrades to enhance seed quality controls. Fostering a statewide community of practice will increase communication between nursery operators and collectively improve kelp seed production and workforce training. This project builds on GreenWave’s significant prior investments in hatchery technology research and years of demonstrated success operating kelp nurseries on the U.S. east coast.
Kelp Nursery Operations Manual
Shared Standards: Alaska Nursery Workshop
Midterm Progress Report
Presentation Videos
Chugach Regional Resource Commission
Gametophyte hatchery initiative: expanding research for gametophyte generation and direct seeding techniques for kelp mariculture in Alaska
Funding: $176,748
Region: Kenai Peninsula
Project Start: May 2025
Cameron Jardell at CRRC will build on CRRC’s previous projects funded through the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation Joint Innovation Program and the AMC Equipment Round I RFP to expand their research program on kelp gametophyte culture techniques. They will be utilizing newly-acquired bioreactors to efficiently grow cultures under a variety of conditions, track results, and refine gametophyte husbandry methods. Their project will also involve outplanting in the ocean to compare how growth and yield varies among three seeding methods (traditional meiospore-based seed spools, gametophyte-based seed spools, and direct seeding with gametophytes). This project will also collect genetic samples at all stages of the process and provide them to ADF&G for potential use in their kelp genetics research efforts. AMC is excited to continue to support CRRC as they lead the way in developing gametophyte-based seeding methods for Alaska.
Interim Update
Final Report [Pending]
Presentation Videos
Prince William Sound Science Center
Genetic diversity and seed quality of bull kelp cultivated from gametophytes and conventional methods
Funding: $198,978
Region: Prince William Sound
Project Start: May 2025
Dr. Angie Korabik, post-doctoral fellow at the Prince William Sound Science Center, will lead this comprehensive study on the genetic diversity of cultivated bull kelp. With field sites in Kodiak and Cordova, they will compare genetic diversity of kelp seeded from conventional spore inoculation and controlled and uncontrolled gametophyte culture. They will also compare how seeding method affects seed quality and spool coverage. This project will test the prediction that seeding with gametophyte cultures of controlled parental contribution will lead to greater genetic diversity when compared to seeding with gametophyte cultures of uncontrolled parental contribution and seeding with conventional spore inoculation. It will also test whether gametophyte seeding can improve seed quality and spool coverage when compared to conventional spore inoculation. Ultimately, this project will provide critical data to inform how the Alaska permitting process may adapt in the future to accommodate gametophyte-based seeding methods while preserving genetic diversity and protecting wild kelp beds. Genetic analyses under this project will be led by Dr. Felipe Alberto’s well-established kelp genetics lab at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
Interim Update [Pending]
Final Report [Pending]
Presentation Videos
Kelp Ark
Population genetics and gametophyte seed banking of Alaska kelps
Funding: $199,393
Region: All Regions
Project Start: May 2025
Q1 2025 Update
Q2 2025 Update
Press: Alaska Mariculture Cluster Funds Kelp Ark to Cultivate Seed Bank
Final Report [Pending]
Presentation Videos
