The Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) is excited to share an update from one of our university partners: the Applied Fisheries Program at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) is offering an online Introduction to Mariculture course this spring. The course is part of the core curriculum for the Occupational Endorsement (OE) in Alaska Aquaculture, which is funded through the Workforce Development AMC grant component.

The OE in Alaska Aquaculture, offered by UAS Sitka, strengthens the mariculture industry by providing students essential knowledge and skills that allow them to seek careers in and further develop the mariculture sector. Students in the OE-granting Alaska Aquaculture Semester take field trips to farms and hatcheries, interact with farmers, participate in lab work, learn about fish pathology and outboard motor maintenance, and manage their own seaweed hatchery on campus, giving students a deep understanding of Alaska aquaculture.

Introduction to Mariculture (FT S123) is a 3 credit course. Students will be introduced to the principles, concepts and methods used in the production of seaweed, shellfish and other mariculture products with an emphasis on the techniques used by Alaskan producers. The course will cover all aspects of production, including species identification and biology, site selection, permitting, daily nursery and farm operations, business management, processing and sales.

The semester starts January 12, and registration is open now. For more information on this or other UAS mariculture-related courses, read the course catalog or email Angie Bowers at abowers4@alaska.edu.

 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.