Mariculture Conference of Alaska coming in February

Man in hardhat working on a skiff. He is holding a buoy and working with kelp seeds on a rope covered pipe.

Alaska Sea Grant will host the 2nd Annual Mariculture Conference of Alaska in Juneau, February 15–17. Registration is now open for the event, where farmers, researchers and professionals in mariculture-related industries and agencies are meeting to present and discuss mariculture innovations, science and activities in Alaska.

This year’s conference focuses on industry innovations and challenges. Presentations, discussions and panels address innovations in nurseries and hatcheries, on the farm, and in processing and marketing. Researchers will provide updates on mariculture research, trainers will discuss workforce development opportunities, and the mariculture nonprofit GreenWave will host a bull kelp workshop.

The first day of the conference includes annual meetings for members of the Alaska Mariculture Alliance and Alaska Shellfish Growers Association, both offered in person and via videoconference. The second and third days of the conference are offered in person at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center, with recordings that will be made available online following the event. On February 17, the Alaska Mariculture Alliance is hosting a mariculture meet-and-greet lunch at the Arts and Culture Center, open to the public.

couple processing oysters in Alaska

The annual conference supports the development of shellfish and seaweed production in Alaska, looking at accomplishments and opportunities in areas including research, education, and industry growth. The 2023 conference is coordinated by a planning committee with members from Alaska Sea Grant, NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Alaska Mariculture Alliance, Alaska Mariculture Cluster, Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, Alaska Shellfish Growers Association, Juneau Economic Development Council, Alaska Mariculture Cluster, NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Conference, and GreenWave. Conference support is provided by the State of Alaska and by Southeast Conference through a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

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