2025 Mariculture Conference of Alaska: Connecting, collaborating, and growing

By Alaska Sea Grant | April 23, 2025
Two people standing in front of a large banner that says Mariculture Conference of Alaska. The man is crossing his arm and smiling and the woman has her arms in the air...ta-daa!

In February, the largest Mariculture Conference of Alaska to date was held in Sitka, Alaska, bringing together over 300 industry experts, farmers, processors, researchers, community leaders, and other professionals to review accomplishments, address challenges and support the continued development of the state’s mariculture industry.

The conference kicked off with an evening at Harbor Mountain Brewing Company, where attendees enjoyed a showcase of Alaska Mariculture Alliance photography contest submissions highlighting Alaska’s mariculture. This was followed by a tradeshow,  and poster session at Harrigan Centennial Hall, and included fresh Alaskan oysters shucked by local farmers and “seaweedish” meatballs prepared by a renowned chef. 

A woman is speaking on a stage in front of an audience. The podium says Mariculture Conference. Screen on the stage with a photo of an Alaska coastline. The header says, In changing currents, we look the ocean. The NOAA Fisheries logo is in the corner.
Danielle Blacklock delivers one of the keynote addresses. She spoke about growing the Alaska mariculture sector from the perspective of the NOAA Office of Aquauculture, including goals of the office and resources available. Photo by Jessica Whitney/UAF.

Keynote presentations were given by Robert Venables and Danielle Blacklock. Venables, known as “Mr. Southeast,” has been a leader in Southeast Alaska since 1984, driving regional energy, infrastructure, and economic development through his work with Southeast Conference and various state boards. He spoke about the Alaska Mariculture Cluster, its progress, and project highlights.

Blacklock leads NOAA’s sustainable seafood portfolio, focusing on developing the U.S. marine aquaculture industry. With over 10 years at NOAA, she previously served as Senior Policy Advisor for Aquaculture. She spoke about growing the Alaska mariculture sector from the perspective of the NOAA Office of Aquauculture, including goals of the office and resources available.

The conference featured a series of presentations and panel discussions addressing innovations, community engagement, regulatory frameworks, market expansion strategies, genetics, and ecosystem interactions, providing attendees with insights to apply in their work. It also focused on workshops designed to support industry growth through practical tools, innovation, and collaboration. 

Three women smiling. One is sitting behind a table shaking hands with another woman wearing a hat. Another woman with glasses wearing an AMSEA jacket stands behind them. On the table are materials for AMSEA.
Poster session. Two people looking at a poster titled: Extraction and Chemical Properties of Fucoidan from Alaska-grown Saccharina Iatissima and Costaria costata.
The backs of a panel of four people are on stage speaking into microphones to a large audience that are sitting around tables.
Three people posing for the camera holding fresh oysters. The man in front is wearing an apron that says "Alaska Grown" and is holding a shucking knife.
A woman speaking into a microphone at a podium. Next to here is a large screen with a message saying: 4th Annual Mariculture Conference of Alaska. Thank you to our funders and sponsors for their generous support! Logos of all the funders and sponsors: Funded by Alaska Mariculture Cluster, Southeast Conference, Alaska Sea Grant and Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, Inc. Sponsored by University of Alaska Fairbanks, NOAA, University of Alaska Southeast, Alaska Mariculture Alliance, Pacific Shellfish Institute, Alaska Mariculture Research and Training Center, and Alaska Shellfish Growers Association.

“The 2025 Mariculture Conference of Alaska was a huge success,” reported Melissa Good, Alaska Sea Grant’s mariculture specialist and conference chair. “It was great to see so many people from across the state and beyond coming together to share ideas, make connections, and push the industry forward. The energy was positive, the conversations were meaningful, and I think everyone walked away with something valuable.”

Several events were held adjacent to the conference, including the Alaska Mariculture Alliance and Alaska Shellfish Growers Association annual meetings and the Alaska Seaweed and Shellfish Festival. Hosted by the Sitka Sound Science Center, the festival drew nearly 200 people and featured delicious local seafood, educational seaweed activities from the University of Alaska Southeast Applied Fisheries Program, and contributions from vendors and farmers who shared art, products, and stories.

The Mariculture Conference of Alaska serves as a pivotal platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and strategic planning, reinforcing the state’s dedication to sustainable mariculture development. Additional resources can be found at the Alaska Mariculture Research and Training Center website.

The next Mariculture Conference of Alaska is planned for March 2026 in Anchorage.

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