In November 2023, Southeast Conference solicited proposals for mariculture processing feasibility studies, under the Equipment & Technology component of the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) grant. Nine (9) organizations were awarded funding, totaling around $1.08 million.

The awarded studies are addressing a variety of topics, including supply and demand assessment, analysis of existing or underutilized infrastructure, architectural or engineering services to support capital and operations cost estimations, financial feasibility studies, and/or operations planning.

Study #1

Title: An Economic Assessment of Harvesting, Processing, and Primary Stabilization Methods for Commercially Grown Kelp
Lead Entity (Region): Chugach Regional Resources Commission (Kenai Peninsula)
Objective: Study costs and available methods of harvesting, processing, stabilization (freezing), and shipment of kelp biomass.

Study #2

Title: Business Plan for Shared Mariculture & Seafood Processing Center
Lead Entity (Region): PWS Economic Development District (Prince William Sound)
Objective: Develop a business plan and preliminary architectural and engineering design work for a shared facility that will support Cordova’s kelp farmers’ processing and drying needs.

Study #3

Title: Mariculture Processing Hub
Lead Entity (Region): Kodiak Economic Development Corporation (Southwest)
Objective: Study the development of a regional mariculture processing hub in Kodiak that would serve the entire Kodiak Archipelago.

Study #4

Title: Mobile Seaweed Processing and Dehydration
Lead Entity (Region): Native Conservancy (Prince William Sound)
Objective: Study the economic and engineering feasibility of a floating, mobile processing facility for seaweed drying.

Study #5

Title: Modular Processing Facility & Mariculture Innovation Center
Lead Entities (Region): OceansAlaska (Southeast)
Objective: Study feasibility of a small, modular, and scalable processing facility with a commercial kitchen and cold/cool storage to serve kelp and oyster farmers wishing to create or aggregate products for sale.

Study #6

Title: Regional Kelp Biorefinery
Lead Entity (Region): Saltwater Inc. (Kenai Peninsula)
Objective: Study the feasibility of establishing a regional biorefinery, potentially in an existing fish processing plant, to support the production of value-added kelp products including skin care and biostimulants.

Study #7

Title: Sea Otter Sound Cooperative Mariculture Center
Lead Entity (Region): Alaska Oyster Cooperative (Southeast)
Objective: Study the feasibility of building and operating a receiving, processing, storing, and shipping facility for mariculture products on Little Naukati Bay in Southeast Alaska.

Study #8

Title: Seaweed Processing and Dehydration
Lead Entity (Region): Organized Village of Kake (Southeast)
Objective: Study the economic and engineering feasibility of a seaweed and local food processing and dehydration facility in Kake that also makes use of waste heat from local power generation.

Study #9

Title: Shared-Use Mariculture Hub
Lead Entity (Region): Ketchikan Agricultural Producers Association (Southeast)
Objective: Study and identify the site location, funding strategy, and business plan for a shared-use regional mariculture processing and storage facility.

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.