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.

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.