Alaska Aquaculture Annual Accomplishments
September 29, 2023
NOAA Fisheries Alaska Aquaculture annual accomplishments reports.
Alaska Regional Office and Alaska Fisheries Science Center continue coordinated efforts to prioritize projects and actions to support the growing Alaska aquaculture industry. Alaskan aquaculture is a rapidly developing industry, stretching from Southeast Alaska to the Aleutians, creating economic opportunities for coastal communities through seaweed and shellfish farming. NOAA Fisheries supports cutting-edge aquaculture science and research, as well as federal policy-making and regulation. We work closely with partners to improve and expand opportunities to promote sustainable marine production of shellfish and seaweed. Every year, we release a report detailing our aquaculture accomplishments, how the year’s activities support regional priorities, and how our activities advance national strategic goals laid out in the NOAA Aquaculture Strategic Plan.
The NOAA Fisheries Alaska Aquaculture Program aligned regional activities with all four of the primary goals laid out by the 2023-2028 NOAA Aquaculture Strategic Plan. Some project highlights include conducting scientific research to support industry development, identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas, and strengthening communication with the public.
As part of the prioritization process for FY23, NOAA Fisheries Alaska Aquaculture Program aligned regional activities with the 2023-2028 NOAA Aquaculture Strategic Plan. The Alaska Program advanced ten of the new strategic aquaculture objectives.
NOAA Fisheries Alaska Aquaculture Program advanced five strategic aquaculture objectives in FY22. Project highlights include improving diversity and inclusion in aquaculture through dulse farming youth education and the release of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center's Aquaculture Research Strategic Plan.
NOAA Fisheries Alaska Aquaculture Program advanced five strategic aquaculture objectives in FY21. Project highlights include developing a permitting portal and guidance document for aquaculture permitting in Alaska and herring deterrence research on kelp farms.