The Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC), in partnership with the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) and Kelson Marine, has launched an ocean modeling, data collection, and analysis project that will address critical challenges in aquatic farm site selection and equipment design for Alaska’s coastal regions.

This project, which was awarded through a competitive request for proposals (RFP), will de-risk mariculture investments for Alaska’s aquatic farmers by providing detailed environmental data for key oceanographic parameters such as currents, wave height, bathymetry, temperature, wind values, salinity, pH, turbidity, and nutrients. Key project activities include:

• Ocean Modeling & Environmental Data Collection: Advanced simulations will quantify both operational and extreme metocean conditions using Kelson Marine’s state-of-the-art software models. The project will leverage historical NOAA data and other data sets with measurements from Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs), CTDs, pH sensors, and optical backscatter sensors​.
• Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA): By integrating oceanographic data with species-specific growth models and cost estimates, the project will produce detailed GIS maps indicating the relative cost of production across the region. This will highlight the most economically viable sites for aquatic farming. ​
• Farm Equipment Right-Sizing: Using Kelson Marine’s Hydro-Structural-Dynamic Finite Element Analysis (HS-DFEA) tools, the team will develop precise specifications for example kelp and oyster farms, helping farmers select anchors and other gear that is neither overbuilt nor underprepared for site conditions.
• Collaboration: This initiative is a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, including the Alaska Mariculture Cluster, AFDF, Kelson Marine, NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), and an industry advisory board composed of farmers, regulators, and researchers.

• Public Data Sharing: To ensure accessibility for current and future mariculture stakeholders, all findings will be shared online through websites like the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS), NOAA’s Marine Cadastre Hub, and the AMC and AFDF websites​. This will allow benefits to extend beyond current industry participants to future mariculture entrepreneurs and coastal communities throughout Alaska.

Impact on Alaska’s Mariculture Industry

By reducing the risks associated with site selection and infrastructure investment, the program is expected to accelerate the expansion of shellfish and seaweed farming in the state. Farmers will be able to make data-driven decisions about where to establish farms and what equipment to use, reducing costs and enhancing operational efficiency. The project is structured to address needs identified by the mariculture industry and Kelson Marine’s work is deeply informed by their extensive experience designing mariculture farms in Alaska, Maine, and elsewhere.

The project also aligns with NOAA’s Aquaculture Opportunity Area (AOA) study, which aims to identify the coastal regions best suited for aquaculture development in Alaska. Both Kelson Marine’s findings and NOAA’s spatial analysis will provide a new level of information and clarity to mariculture stakeholders navigating investment and other decisions in Alaska.

The project, which began in November 2024, is scheduled for completion by August 2026. Key milestones include:

• Spring 2025: Completion of initial regional ocean modeling and preliminary site evaluations.
• Summer 2025: Regional Ocean-wave model simulation begins with continued work on model mesh generation and refinement.
• Fall 2025: Begin synthesizing Regional Ocean-Wave Model Results.
• Summer 2026: Release of the final project report and public dissemination of findings through online platforms.

About AFDF

Since 1978, the AFDF has broadly represented the Alaska seafood industry (harvesters, processors, and support service businesses) in the areas of research and development. Since 2014, AFDF has spearheaded the Alaska Mariculture Initiative, an effort to expedite the development of growing shellfish and seaweed in Alaska.

AFDF is a part of the AMC coalition and one of the subaward recipients. As part of its subaward, AFDF oversees some of the AMC’s Research and Development programs, including the Joint Innovation Projects, De-Risking Mariculture Investments, and Seaweed Tissue Analysis.

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.