In partnership with Washington Sea Grant, Alaska Sea Grant is organizing a multi-day learning experience for Alaska mariculture farmers. Selected participants will travel to Washington state to visit farms, hatcheries, processing facilities and research sites focused on shellfish aquaculture. The goal is to share best practices, innovative tools and technologies and lessons learned across state lines to strengthen the mariculture sector in Alaska.

Dates:

• Travel to Washington: Monday, August 18, 2025
• Tours and site visits: August 19–21, 2025
• Return travel to Alaska: Friday, August 22, 2025

Who should apply:

• Current or prospective Alaska mariculture farmers, particularly those focused on shellfish.

What’s included:

• Round-trip travel from Alaska to Washington
• Lodging for the duration of the exchange
• Per diem to cover meals and incidental expenses
• Ground transportation to all scheduled site visits

Tentative agenda highlights:

• Tours of commercial shellfish farms and nurseries
• Visits to hatcheries and processing facilities
• Conversations with Washington growers, researchers and resource managers
• Discussions on permitting, environmental monitoring, marketing and workforce development

Please note: The itinerary is still being finalized and site visits are subject to confirmation.

Participants will be selected based on their interest, experience and ability to apply lessons learned to mariculture efforts in Alaska. Space is limited, so we encourage early applications.

How to apply:

• Complete the online application form below.
• Application deadline: June 30, 2025.

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.