The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is making a critical adjustment to protect Alaska’s mariculture industry and consumers. DEC is temporarily redirecting its toxin testing method development efforts (funded through the Alaska Mariculture Cluster) from Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PST) to Diarrhetic Shellfish Toxins (DST).

The DEC Environmental Health Laboratory is currently deploying recently-acquired toxin testing equipment (UHPLC-MS/MS) to validate DST testing methods. This equipment and project is being funded by the DEC subaward, which received $4.1 million in 2022 under the AMC’s Equipment & Technology grant component. The goal of the Equipment & Technology grant component is to address key barriers to mariculture growth and to explore new methods and equipment to overcome those barriers. One critical obstacle to mariculture growth is shellfish toxin testing capacity, speed, and sustainability. Using new equipment, DEC is working to eliminate the need for testing with live mice and dramatically increase testing speeds and cost efficiency.

This decision to temporarily pivot the focus of DEC’s AMC funding reflects an urgent need: DST toxins, including okadaic acid, in Southeast and Southcentral Alaskan waters during 2024 were tested at levels near federal regulatory limits. The toxins were not found on farmed shellfish or at permitted farms; however, if these toxins become prevalent they could threaten consumer safety, disrupt interstate shellfish sales, and jeopardize Alaska’s standing with federal regulators.

DEC will resume work on PST testing once finished with DST testing. Ultimately, Alaska will gain dual-capacity toxin testing that can serve the industry for decades to come.

This comprehensive approach not only protects consumers but also strengthens industry confidence. Reliable, in-state testing capacity reduces uncertainty for farmers and processors, making it easier to attract investment and scale mariculture production. As the mariculture industry works toward ambitious growth targets, investments in toxin testing capacity will remain a cornerstone—keeping products safe, markets open, and Alaska’s mariculture sector positioned for long-term success.

It’s important to note that Alaska has a strong and successful food safety program. Commercial oyster operations are rigorously tested for PST, and consumers can be assured that commercially available oysters are safe when purchased from reputable retail stores and restaurants.

About DEC’s Subaward

In 2022, DEC was awarded $4.1 million to strengthen Alaska’s mariculture industry. Specifically, DEC’s Environmental Health Laboratory (EHL) is purchasing new equipment for PST testing, training staff on their use, and validating methods with regulators.  More information about the Environmental Health Laboratory can be found here.

Background

Southeast Conference (SEC) is the federally designated Economic Development District (EDD) for Southeast Alaska, as well as the state designated Alaska Regional Development Organization. SEC’s mission is to undertake and support activities that promote strong economies, sustainable communities, and a healthy environment in Southeast Alaska.

In September 2022, Southeast Conference was awarded a $49 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) grant to catalyze a viable and sustainable mariculture industry in Alaska, supporting the production of shellfish and seaweed, for the long-term benefit of the state’s economy, environment, and communities.

SEC leads the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) grant coalition, which includes members of Alaska’s mariculture industry, tribal organizations, regulatory agencies, university system, regional EDDs, trade organizations, and others. A Governance Body, composed of AMC coalition leaders and Tribal executives from each of the project regions, guides the grant’s work and equity metrics.

The AMC has complementary grant components designed to break down barriers and develop Alaska’s mariculture industry.  The Overarching Narrative explains how the grant components work together to grow the industry in an equitable and responsible manner. The full project period for the AMC BBBRC project is October 1, 2022 to September 30th, 2026.