There are few better ways to experience Alaska mariculture than by visiting a working farm, watching the cultivation process, touching and tasting the harvest, and meeting the people who make it all possible. That’s the idea behind the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) Marketing Program’s Familiarization Trips, which immerse journalists and content creators in Alaska’s growing oyster and kelp industries through firsthand visits to regions across the state.

The final group tour brought reporters from BuzzFeed Tasty, Food & Wine, Seattle Magazine, and a freelancer representing AFAR and Travel + Leisure to Ketchikan and Prince of Wales Island, where they experienced the people and stewardship shaping Alaska mariculture.

The journey began at the Alaskan Oyster Shack, where Maura Scudero welcomed the group for a meet-and-greet with local growers and producers. Side-by-side oyster tastings showcased the distinct merroir of oysters from Alaska Gold, Blue Starr, Canoe Lagoon, Tommaso Shellfish, and Seagrove, illustrating how each growing area—and each farmer’s approach—shapes the oysters’ unique flavor, texture, and character. Pacific Kelp Co. and Uncharted Alaska Distillery rounded out the evening by introducing guests to their kelp products: an agricultural biostimulant, KelpEdge, and Holdfast Vodka, respectively.

The next day, the group traveled directly to three farms. At Tommaso Shellfish, Jimmy Greeley and Katie Bode welcomed guests to their remote farm, where their meticulous care for the oysters reflected an equally deep respect for the surrounding land and sea. At Blue Starr Oyster Co., Eric Wyatt shared his approach to cultivation, offering an in-depth look at both his FLUPSY system and flip-farm operations. The day concluded with a stop at Seagrove’s farm in Doyle Bay before dinner at The Local Table, where conversations continued over dishes showcasing the region’s seafood and seasonal ingredients and included an Alaska kelp bang bang sauce to add a kick to the meal and a chia pudding featuring Alaska kelp for dessert.

The final day began at Pacific Kelp Co., where Nick Stern and John Smet welcomed guests behind the scenes for a tour of the production facility. They shared how harvested kelp is transformed into their biostimulant KelpEdge while discussing the expanding opportunities for Alaska kelp. Next, a visit to Hump Island Oyster Company with oyster tastings alongside conversations with Markos Sheer before touring Seagrove’s production facility and wet-storage operation to learn what happens to oysters when they leave the water and head to the lower 48. 

The trip concluded with an unforgettable fireside feast on a hillside overlooking the waters outside Ketchikan—a fitting setting to reflect on the landscapes, flavors, and stories shared throughout the trip. Guests left inspired by the growers they met and eager to share with their readers.

This marked the final planned group Familiarization Trip in a successful series that introduced media to Alaska mariculture through visits to Homer, Cordova, Juneau, and now Ketchikan and Prince of Wales Island. The trips have generated significant media stories including Ag Navigator, Delish, Food52, Martha Stewart, Matador Network, Saveur, Serious Eats, Tasting Table, and more. 

One final, exclusive media visit remains on the calendar this August, when Forbes travels to Kodiak for a deep look at Alaska’s expanding kelp industry and the people shaping its future. 

About the AMC Marketing Program

Funded through the AMC’s Market Development grant component, the Alaska Mariculture Alliance (AMA) and Southeast Conference (SEC) have launched a robust marketing program to increase awareness, demand, and long-term market opportunities for Alaska’s growing mariculture industry. The AMC Marketing Program is being advanced by Tastemaker Comms in partnership with Rising Tide Communications – two experienced firms with extensive backgrounds in seafood marketing, brand development, and campaign execution.

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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 Alaska Mariculture Cluster is October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2026, though some projects may be extended up until May 28, 2027.