The Alaska Mariculture Alliance (AMA) contracted with Rising Tide Communications (RTC) to research and draft a Public Relations & Outreach Plan. The project’s purpose is to provide organizations tasked with mariculture communications with resources to communicate strategically and comprehensively to audiences about Alaska’s shellfish and aquatic plant farming.

As with any industry in its early phases, opportunities and challenges will require specific, targeted messaging. Several organizations, including AMA, Alaska Mariculture Research & Technical Center (AMRTC), Alaska Sea Grant, and the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) are engaging in different aspects of industry and external communications. The plan’s recommendations point everyone in a cooperative way forward that makes the most of organizational capacities and strengths.

This plan is a vital element designated by the Governance, Coordination & Outreach grant component of the AMC, of which AMA is a subaward recipient. The project was initiated through competitive request for proposals (RFP) and awarded to RTC in July 2023. The plan was overviewed via a webinar in May 2024, and the final plan published in July 2025.

About the Alaska Mariculture Alliance

The Alaska Mariculture Alliance (AMA) was created in response to the final report of the Alaska Mariculture Task Force, which was established in 2016 to explore potential avenues for industry growth in Alaska. The report recommended the creation of the AMA to coordinate the many parties interested in the development of mariculture in Alaska. AMA’s mission is to develop and support a robust and sustainable mariculture industry for the long-term benefit of Alaska’s economy, environment and communities.

Within the AMC grant coalition, AMA is tasked with managing the Liaison Program, in addition to developing and implementing the Public Relations and Outreach Plan.

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.