Mariculture Conference draws a crowd

By Tom Moran | April 7, 2026
A person eats an oyster with a fork at a table covered with a black tablecloth. Next to them sits a notebook, pen and a sheet of paper with a colorful wheel on it, labeled "Oyster Tasting Wheel."
One highlight of the conference was an oyster-tasting workshop led by Julie Qiu.
A room full of people sitting at round tables, watching an unseen presentation. A row of posters are behind them.
An attentive crowd at the Mariculture Conference.
A red-haired woman in a floral top gestures toward a scientific poster as another woman wearing a backpack looks on.
Kelsey Anthony of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game presents her poster.
A woman stands behind a podium, speaks and gestures. A large screen behind her reads "Mariculture Conference of Alaska."
Keynote speaker Julie Qiu.
A man wears a Hawaiian shirt with jellyfish on it, and a knit hat with eyeballs and tentacles like an octopus.
Alaska Sea Grant mariculture trainer and technician Arron Jones dresses for the occasion.
Six people sit along a table in front of a large slideshow screen. One speaks into a microphone. A moderator stands behind them.
Mariculture biologist Cameron Jardell of the Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute speaks during a panel discussion.
A bearded man in a knit cap and a woman shuck oysters and smile at the camera. Before them is a bin full of oysters on a bed of ice.
Jimmy Greeley and Katie Bode of Tommaso Shellfish shuck oysters for the conference.
A man in a black turtleneck stands behind a podium. Behind him a large screen reads "Mariculture Conference of Alaska."
Keynote speaker Vincent Doumeizel.

All photos by Jessica Whitney/Alaska Sea Grant

Alaska’s enthusiasm for mariculture was evident at last month’s Mariculture Conference of Alaska. More than 300 people gathered in Anchorage for the three-day event.

“The success of this year’s Mariculture Conference of Alaska is a testament to the strength and collaboration of Alaska’s mariculture community,” stated Alaska Sea Grant mariculture specialist Melissa Good, one of the lead organizers of the event. “We are incredibly grateful to our planning committee and the many industry partners whose support and dedication made this event possible.”

Conference highlights included keynote speeches by oyster sommelier and educator Julie Qiu and by Vincent Doumeizel, Senior Adviser on Oceans for the United Nations Global Compact. In addition to presentations, panel discussions, a poster session and a trade show, this year’s event also featured four workshops on aspects of Alaska mariculture, including an oyster-tasting session led by Qiu.  

Primary funding for the conference came from the U.S. Economic Development Administration Build Back Better Regional Challenge Alaska Mariculture Cluster, administered by Southeast Conference. The lead planners were Alaska Sea Grant, Southeast Conference, and Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation. Also collaborating on the event were the Alaska Mariculture Alliance and Alaska Shellfish Growers Association.

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