In 2024, as a part of AMC’s Seaweed Tissue Analysis Program, the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) facilitated a seaweed sampling effort that looked at a diverse range of seaweed species from around Sitka, AK and Kodiak, AK. samples were collected primarily from wild sources and featured 17 distinct species of brown, red, and green seaweed. Collected samples were analyzed by Celignis Analytical in Ireland, where full compositional content was measured, including minerals, carbohydrates, polysaccharides, pigments, ash, and metals. This study revealed the incredible variety of native seaweed types across Alaska and diversity in their chemical composition.

Marine Biologics was then contracted to interpret and synthesize the vast amount of complex seaweed data produced through the lab work conducted by Celignis. Drawing on expertise in seaweed chemistry, data science, and market development, the Marine Biologics team developed this interactive dashboard to make the findings more accessible to farmers, processors, researchers, and policymakers. This dashboard enables users to explore chemical and functional profiles across species and to identify high-potential market applications and opportunities for Alaska’s growing seaweed industry.

Deeper Dive

In spring 2024, Celignis Analytical collected and analyzed roughly 100 seaweed samples across 17 species of wild and farmed seaweed from Kodiak and Sitka. Each sample underwent over 40 laboratory analyses measuring nutritional content, carbohydrates, bioactive compounds, and safety indicators. Marine Biologics used the resulting data to create the Tableau dashboard linked above, where users can explore chemical and nutritional profiles across species, regions, and sample conditions.

The dashboard allows users to:

• Compare species based on nutrient composition, bioactive compounds, and methane reduction potential.
• Identify promising commercial species suited for high-value products like foods, supplements, and agricultural inputs.
• Explore variation by region, season, and harvest method, helping farmers optimize cultivation strategies.
• Access open data that can support grant proposals, R&D projects, and investment planning within Alaska’s mariculture industry.

This tool helps farmers and processors make informed decisions about which species have the most commercial viability, adding to the larger Seaweed Tissue Analysis Program outputs and objectives by supporting market development opportunities in agriculture, cosmetics, food, and biotechnology. Additionally, the analysis will be helpful for policymakers, as it can inform regulatory strategies and ensure that legal frameworks are based on the most accurate, up-to-date information.

This marks the first publicly available dataset of its kind for Alaska’s mariculture industry, creating a foundation of shared knowledge to drive innovation and collaboration statewide. Alex Huller, Mariculture Development Program Manager at AFDF, shared her perspective on the programs benefits:

“The Seaweed Tissue Analysis Program is providing the industry with an exceptionally robust data set. By making this complex compositional data accessible through the dashboard, it can help farmers, processors, and innovators identify new opportunities and highlight Alaska’s potential. I hope this effort attracts product developers to Alaska’s seaweeds and shines a spotlight on our science-driven, rapidly growing seaweed sector.”

For the Alaska Mariculture Cluster, this work exemplifies how science and economic development go hand in hand. By making this data open, transparent, and accessible, the Seaweed Tissue Analysis Program supports stronger communities, informed policy, and smarter investment in Alaska’s coastal future.

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 (EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) grant 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 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.