In February, the largest Mariculture Conference of Alaska to date was held in Sitka, Alaska, bringing together over 300 industry experts, farmers, processors, researchers, community leaders, and other professionals to review accomplishments, address challenges and support the continued development of the state’s mariculture industry.

The conference kicked off with an evening at Harbor Mountain Brewing Company, where attendees enjoyed a showcase of Alaska Mariculture Alliance photography contest submissions highlighting Alaska’s mariculture. This was followed by a tradeshow,  and poster session at Harrigan Centennial Hall, and included fresh Alaskan oysters shucked by local farmers and “seaweedish” meatballs prepared by a renowned chef.

Keynote presentations were given by Robert Venables and Danielle Blacklock. Venables, known as “Mr. Southeast,” has been a leader in Southeast Alaska since 1984, driving regional energy, infrastructure, and economic development through his work with Southeast Conference and various state boards. He spoke about the Alaska Mariculture Cluster, its progress, and project highlights.

Blacklock leads NOAA’s sustainable seafood portfolio, focusing on developing the U.S. marine aquaculture industry. With over 10 years at NOAA, she previously served as Senior Policy Advisor for Aquaculture. She spoke about growing the Alaska mariculture sector from the perspective of the NOAA Office of Aquauculture, including goals of the office and resources available.

The conference featured a series of presentations and panel discussions addressing innovations, community engagement, regulatory frameworks, market expansion strategies, genetics, and ecosystem interactions, providing attendees with insights to apply in their work. It also focused on workshops designed to support industry growth through practical tools, innovation, and collaboration.

“The 2025 Mariculture Conference of Alaska was a huge success,” reported Melissa Good, Alaska Sea Grant’s mariculture specialist and conference chair. “It was great to see so many people from across the state and beyond coming together to share ideas, make connections, and push the industry forward. The energy was positive, the conversations were meaningful, and I think everyone walked away with something valuable.”

Several events were held adjacent to the conference, including the Alaska Mariculture Alliance and Alaska Shellfish Growers Association annual meetings and the Alaska Seaweed and Shellfish Festival. Hosted by the Sitka Sound Science Center, the festival drew nearly 200 people and featured delicious local seafood, educational seaweed activities from the University of Alaska Southeast Applied Fisheries Program, and contributions from vendors and farmers who shared art, products, and stories.

The Mariculture Conference of Alaska serves as a pivotal platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and strategic planning, reinforcing the state’s dedication to sustainable mariculture development. Additional resources can be found at the Alaska Mariculture Research and Training Center website.

The next Mariculture Conference of Alaska is planned for March 2026 in Anchorage.

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.