In mid-May the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) marketing program welcomed a group of four journalists to Cordova for the second familiarization trip, an immersive experience connecting these writers directly with Alaska’s mariculture industry. Through site visits, product tastings, and scenic hikes, participants who write for National Geographic, Martha Stewart, Delish, Eater, The Kitchn, and AgTech Navigator gained a firsthand understanding of Alaska’s unique and growing industry.

The Cordova visit kicked off with a dinner hosted by Jason Lessard, the Executive Director of Alaska Mariculture Alliance (AMA). Discussions highlighted how Cordova is embracing mariculture as a triple bottom line approach to community development. Attendees included representatives from the Prince William Sound Economic Development District (PWSEDD), University of Alaska Fairbanks, Native Village of Eyak, Prince William Sound Science Center, Alaska Blue Economy Center and farmers from Noble Ocean Farms, Royal Ocean Kelp Company, WildBlue Mariculture, Safety Cove Oyster Farm, and Simpson Bay Oyster Company .

The group stayed at the Orca Adventure Lodge where Captain Kris Ranney took them on a tour to see three working farms (and many, many sea otters): Royal Ocean Kelp Company to observe the harvest, Noble Ocean Farms where they tasted bull kelp directly from the water, and Simpson Bay Oyster Company for an immersive oyster farm experience.

The trip offered an insightful look into Cordova kelp farmers’ collaboration and, in particular, coordinated farm harvests. The kelp farms sell small amounts to local consumers, but the vast majority of their harvest is purchased by a common buyer, Cascadia Seaweed, a BC-based biostimulant company. During this visit, familiarization trip participants learned about the emergence of the biostimulant market for Alaska’s kelp.

The final day in Cordova included a trip to the Prince William Sound Science Center for a deep dive into the kelp hatchery, which has received AMC equipment funding. Ecologist and researcher Angela Korabik underscored the unique opportunity of kelp farming in Alaska. The guests then saw various ways kelp is processed, including an introduction to the new dryer – an AMC-funded project awarded to the PWSEDD that is years in the making.

Upon arrival in Cordova, the group immediately hiked the Sheridan Glacier Lake trail – an amazing experience reinforcing the cold, pristine waters of Alaska mariculture. The Cordova trip was bookended with overnights in Anchorage with dinners highlighting Alaska oysters and kelp in the menus at the Crow’s Nest and Pearl. The group also toured production facilities and tasted Alaska-grown kelp in beer at Cordova Brewing Company and in chocolate at Chugach Chocolates.

What’s Next:

The AMC marketing team is working with these journalists on stories; more will be shared as they publish. Two additional familiarization trips are planned this summer to Juneau and then Ketchikan & Prince of Wales, as well as other activities to support the industry across the state.

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.

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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.