On behalf of the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC), 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. Funded through the AMC’s Market Development grant component, the AMC Marketing Program will promote seaweed and shellfish products to key buyers, chefs, retailers, influencers, and other industry stakeholders across the U.S.

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. Work will begin in July 2025 and continue through September 2026, with activities spanning Alaska and key Lower 48 markets, including food, agriculture, bioplastics, cosmetics and others.

Investing in Growth, Identity, and Access

The AMC Marketing Program was developed in response to strong industry demand for collective marketing resources, improved market access, and modern promotional strategies that reflect the values and potential of Alaska mariculture. While Alaska’s mariculture sector – primarily focused on oysters and kelp food products – is still in early stages, it has a strong trajectory as a triple bottom line industry – driving economic growth, supporting coastal communities, and advancing environmental resilience.

Tastemaker’s work is structured in two overlapping phases:

• Phase 1: Foundation & Framework will develop a brand identity and media and promotional assets for Alaska’s mariculture industry. Deliverables include professional photo and video shoots, a digital media library, and a suite of collateral such as buyer’s guides, fact sheets, and recipe cards.
• Phase 2: Market Activations will bring these tools to life through a series of high-impact events and campaigns, including participation in tradeshows, culinary festivals, and other events, in and outside of Alaska. Familiarization tours (FAM tours) are also planned to introduce key buyers, retailers, and media to Alaska mariculture first hand and build champions for future growth and sales.

Additional outreach may include influencer seeding campaigns, strategic paid and earned media coverage, and collaboration with industry panels, organized by AMA for guidance and strategy. The plans outlined below are preliminary and subject to change based on industry feedback.

Advancing a Sustainable and Equitable Industry

The AMC Marketing Program is a core part of the $49 million U.S. EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) grant awarded to SEC in 2022. Through this federal investment, SEC is coordinating a coalition of Alaska Native organizations, industry leaders, universities, economic development districts, and state agencies to scale a viable, sustainable, and equitable mariculture industry statewide.

By supporting better storytelling, industry visibility, and access to key markets, the AMC Marketing Program will unlock new market opportunities for Alaska’s seaweed and shellfish products and serve as a cornerstone for increased sales, awareness-building, and cross-sector collaboration.

Related:
Food Sector Market Research by Food For Climate League

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.