From May 10–15, 2026, Southeast Conference (SEC) participated in the South Korea Seaweed Industry Learning Trip, an immersive study tour organized by WWF-US in partnership with Professor Jang K. Kim of Incheon National University. The trip brought together 20 participants from across the global seaweed investment, research, and industry community to observe firsthand the depth, scale, and structure of South Korea’s mature seaweed sector.

For SEC and the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC), the trip offered a rare opportunity to benchmark Alaska’s emerging kelp and shellfish industries against a world-leading model. Korea produces seaweed at a scale ($1.5 billion in sales, $260 million of which is from kelp) and quality that is difficult to fully appreciate from afar — and seeing it in person was both humbling and motivating.

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.