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First Phase of Equipment Funding through the Alaska Mariculture Cluster Grant Program
July 23, 2024
Lead Entities: Southeast Conference
Grant Component: Equipment & Technology
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.
| Organization | Equipment | Seaweed or Shellfish | Region |
| Chugach Regional Resources Commission | Hatchery Technology Development to Expand Seed Supply | Both | Kenai |
| Kachemak Shellfish Mariculture Association | FLUPSY Replacement | Shellfish | Kenai |
| Larsen Bay Tribe | FLUPSY | Shellfish | Kodiak |
| Native Conservancy | At-Sea Floating Processor | Seaweed | PWS |
| Chenega Regional Development Group | FLUPSY | Shellfish | PWS |
| Prince William Sound Economic Development District | Developing Primary Kelp Stabilization & Drying Capacity | Seaweed | PWS |
| Prince William Sound Science Center | Nursery expansion | Seaweed | PWS |
| Oceans Alaska | Shipping Container Processing | Shellfish | Southeast |
| Oceans Alaska | Floating Hatchery Upgrades | Shellfish | Southeast |
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.
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.
