Training supports Alaska shellfish hatchery sustainability

Alaska Sea Grant, in collaboration with the University of Alaska Southeast Applied Fisheries program and OceansAlaska, hosted a three-day workshop covering oyster hatchery operations at the OceansAlaska Shellfish Hatchery in Ketchikan, Alaska. The March workshop brought 12 Alaskan trainees together with experts in the field to advance aquaculture education and innovation, as well as to  foster sustainable marine resource management.

Discussions, activities and expert guidance provided participants with a well-rounded understanding of shellfish hatchery operations. Workshop leaders included oyster hatchery specialist Provan Crump as well as Chunk Kelly and Bryan Frasier, who operate and maintain the OceansAlaska hatchery for algal cultivation and kelp and oyster rearing.

The workshop included a tour of the shellfish hatchery, information on hatchery management, and lessons on the biology, anatomy and life cycle of shellfish. Participants learned microalgae counting and density estimation crucial for maintaining optimal conditions for shellfish larvae, and discussed environmental considerations including water quality and site selection.

Additional topics included microalgae production, a vital component of shellfish larval diets, and broodstock holding and conditioning, essential for ensuring the health and reproductive success of breeding stock. Practical sessions included spawning techniques and larval rearing.

The workshop included a session dedicated to setting larvae and nursery production techniques at the critical early stages of shellfish development, and culminated with a focus on post-hatchery seed production and farming systems for sustainable shellfish cultivation.

Funding for the workshop was provided by OceansAlaska, UAS Applied Fisheries and Alaska Mariculture Cluster.