The Alaska Shellfish Growers Association (ASGA), a nonprofit organization representing shellfish farmers and those interested in developing shellfish aquaculture in Alaska, oversaw a nutritional analysis project to produce a nutrition label specific to Alaska grown Pacific oysters.  This project was funded under the AMC’s Market Development grant component.

This project begins to define Alaska grown Pacific oyster products and differentiate from the generic “Pacific oyster” nutrition information available. As a byproduct of the nutritional analysis for labeling, the project has generated data that can be further analyzed and identified for other research and development projects which could be useful to farmers.

After initial outreach efforts and aligning on project goals, ASGA’s Marketing Committee developed a sampling plan that delivered fresh oyster samples to Midwest Laboratories for testing and analysis. The results, which are included in the report linked below, provide nutritional data such as fats, vitamins, carbohydrates, salt, etc. for product labels for oysters grown on Alaska aquatic farms. This report will also help the industry identify research priorities and conduct more effective marketing campaigns.

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.