Overview

The Equipment & Technology grant component of the Alaska Mariculture Cluster has three main focuses:

1. Perform feasibility studies that assess whether existing facilities can be used for mariculture processing and analyzing the construction and expansion of processing, handling, and storing facilities in coordination with underserved communities, economic opportunity zones, and other EDA-eligible partners.
2. Expand capacity and improve technology in regional hubs by equipping existing facilities with equipment to safely and effectively handle and process seaweed and shellfish.
3. Expand hatchery and nursery facilities’ capacity to preserve seed supply for underserved community farmers by assessing the seaweed and shellfish demand, production, and distribution to determine whether existing facilities can expand, or if new facilities are needed to meet the demand for seaweed and shellfish seed.

Expanding Regulatory Capacity is another focus. The AMC will purchase laboratory equipment for the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to increase its existing capacity to test for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), which poses a significant risk to shellfish farmers.

Diversification of species: SEC and regional partners will develop methods for developing and farming new species, including multiple shellfish species in varying levels of commercial viability currently. The governance body will identify demand for new species through its annual coordination activities.