Under the Equipment & Technology component of the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) grant, Southeast Conference has awarded a first round of funding for the purchase of equipment to support strategic investments in a variety of mariculture operations including processing, nursery, and hatchery development.

The objective of the equipment funding is to stimulate mariculture industry growth by helping industry participants:

• Safely and cost-effectively handle and process seaweed and shellfish into products with strong market demand.
• Reduce operating costs, increase production capacity, and improve seed quality.
• Add capacity where needed to address any regional seed supply gaps, such as through the purchase of new oyster floating upweller systems (FLUPSYs), seaweed nurseries, or other similar equipment.
• Coordinate efforts and address regional and subregional solutions collaboratively.

Eight (8) organizations will be receiving equipment funding in this round, totaling around $2.25 million.

The AMC grant allocates a total of $7.2 million for equipment purchases. Subsequent equipment funding RFPs will be issued in November 2024 and November 2025, with roughly a third of the equipment funding awarded in each round. This staggered release helps ensure an equitable distribution of funds.  Only EDA-eligible entities, such as local and state governments, tribes, and non-profits, can apply. Interested organizations are encouraged to track the project website at alaskamariculturecluster.org.

SEC is helped by Hatch Blue, a global aquaculture consultancy, to provide equipment consulting services to SEC and potential equipment applicants upon request. Requests for Hatch Blue consulting services can be made at any time and will be considered by SEC on a rolling basis. Please reach out to dan@seconference.org to discuss your information needs and the fit with the Hatch consulting services available.

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 Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) 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, which 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.