The Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) contracted with McKinley Research Group and the Pacific Shellfish Institute to provide AMC and the broader mariculture industry with current information about topics including oyster and seaweed harvest, farm utilization, seed supply and quality, and growing techniques. This is the second of three annual reports produced as part of AMC’s Mariculture Industry Tracking project.

Key Findings

• There were four farms with active Floating Upwelling Systems (FLUPSYs) active in Alaska in 2025, down from five in 2024.
• Farmers reported fewer problems with seed quality in the 2025 harvest season compared to the 2024 season and the number of active seaweed hatcheries grew from five to seven in 2025. Interviews indicate more than 350,000 feet of seeded line were sold in 2025, a state record.
• An estimated 1.6 million oysters will be harvested statewide through the end of 2025, up from 1.2 million in 2024.
• An estimated 240,000 pounds of seaweed were harvested in 2025, up from 155,000 in 2024.
• Oyster farmers reported prices of $0.80 to $1.16 per oyster and selling into a variety of markets for Alaska oysters both inside and outside Alaska in 2025.
• National market research indicates that oyster demand is down because of low consumer confidence, manifesting in reduced dining out, especially at higher end restaurants where oysters are sold.
• Biostimulants emerged as a key product for Alaska seaweed in 2025, but this sector and other emerging buyers are demanding prices well below current prices of $0.85 to $1.00 per wet pound.

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.

About the Alaska Mariculture Cluster

In September 2022, Southeast Conference was awarded a $49 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to stimulate private investment and grow Alaska’s mariculture industry to $100 million in sales in 10 years.  The Alaska Mariculture Cluster grant involves a large coalition of state agencies, Tribes, non-profits, and others working together over a five year period ending May 2027.