Alaska Aquaculture Update

The Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development released the December 2023 issue of Alaska Economic Trends which takes a comprehensive look at the growing aquaculture industry in Alaska.

According to the article in June of this year Alaska, the state with more coastline than all the lower 48 combined, was deemed a federal aquaculture opportunity area. Our state is environmentally, socially, and economically able to facilitate the operations for multiple commercial aquatic farms.

Alaska’s operations can offer a wide variety of marine species.

As shown by map from AK Dept. of Labor & Workforce, Kodiak has several permitted species: kelp, other seaweed, mussels, sea cucumbers, and oyster. Oysters are among the highest-value harvest. The article states: “Pacific oysters sold to the public worth nearly $1.5 million in 2022, a number that is climbing again” .

Only native species, apart from oysters, can be farmed here in Alaska. The oysters are able to be seeded from warmer coastal states.

Salmon hatcheries and oyster farms together accounted for more and excess of $17 million in wages in 2022.