Introduction
Alaska has many strengths that make it an ideal environment for mariculture: clean and abundant waters, skills and abilities of coastal Alaskans maritime experience, culture knowledge of indigenous Alaskans, and existing seafood industry and infrastructure. The state has research and development capacity at the University and industry levels, as well as a sophisticated seafood marketing organization that effectively reaches consumers all over the nation and the world. The regulatory process and agencies are accessible, and the Legislature has been supportive, including funding $5 million for a new mariculture matching grant program.
Along with these strengths come challenges.
The eight (8) grant components of the Alaska Mariculture Cluster are designed to address barriers to developing a mariculture industry with a heartbeat of equity and sustainability.
U.S. EDA BBBRC Funding & Grant Component Breakdown