Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center

Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center
UAF’s Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center (KSMSC) is located on the Trident Basin, on Near Island in Kodiak, Alaska. KSMSC works year-round to discover better methods to harvest, preserve, process, and package Alaska’s rich ocean bounty. With a state-of-the-art seafood research and development facility, KSMSC has research kitchens, biochemistry labs and food labs with experimental seafood processing equipment researchers use to test production techniques and develop new seafood products. KSMSC staff work closely with the industry to convey research results and provide educational opportunities that help seafood workers improve efficiency and the quality of their products.
About KSMSC
The mission of the UAF Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center is to increase the value of Alaska's fishing industry and marine resources through research, technological development, education and service.
Alaska's commercial fishing industry
Alaska accounts for more than 60% of the continental shelf area and more than half the shoreline of the entire United States. Alaska's share of wild fish harvested for human food is about 75% of the US total, worth upward of $3.0 billion annually.
Created by the Alaska Legislature in 1981, Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center (originally named the Fishery Industrial Technology Center, FITC) works with the industry to develop new solutions to industry's problems. We direct our efforts in five areas: seafood harvesting technology, seafood processing technology, seafood quality and safety, contaminants, and collaborative ecosystems research.
Located in Kodiak, Alaska, at the center of Alaska's fishing industry, KSMSC is housed in a 20,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility built on Near Island in 1991.
KSMSC promotes the sustainable use of Alaska fisheries through collaborative research, application, education and information transfer in areas of:
Seafood safety
- Safe handling and preservation techniques
- Spoilage: factors affecting shelf life and microbial growth
- Marine biotoxins: Harmful Algal Blooms, such as PSP and domoic acid
Seafood quality
- Nutritional content
- Effects of capture, handling and processing procedures
- Effects of changing ocean conditions
Bycatch reduction
- Gear and techniques to reduce capture of non-target species, including marine mammals
Product markets and development
- Novel and enhanced markets for underutilized species
- Non-consumptive uses: biodiesel, pharmaceuticals
- Adding value through post-processing enhancement
- Full utilization of seafood byproducts
- Technology transfer
Environmental concerns
- Offal discharge management
- Energy-efficient processing
- Competition between humans, commercial interests and protected species
Marine Advisory Program extension
More than 75% of Alaska's 731,000 residents live on the coastline. Marine Advisory Program scientists work within these communities to increase economic diversification and to conserve marine resources through access to technical assistance and training.
- Kodiak MAP Agent:
- Economic development in the Kodiak Region: Julie Matweyou
- Statewide MAP Specialists:
- Seafood Marketing: Quentin Fong
- Seafood Technology Specialist: Chris Sannito
- Mariculture: Melissa Good
News
Foundations of kelp farming: Educating the new wave of aquatic farmers
Seaweed farming is a major industry worldwide, with the United States importing more than 95%—19 million tons—of its edible seaweed. Alaska’s coast is ideal for…
Read MoreNinth biennial Alaska Seafood Processing Leadership Institute wraps up
The ninth Alaska Seafood Processing Leadership Institute (ASPLI) recently concluded in Anchorage, bringing together rising stars of seafood processing to learn from industry and academic…
Read MoreSmoked Seafood School — May 2023 — Kodiak
9:00 am–4:00 pm Alaska Time, each day This workshop is for Kodiak Island Borough residents interested in smoking and processing fish, including home fish-smoking…
Read MoreKodiak high school students learn seafood smoking and safety
Kodiak Island Borough high school students and teachers gained hands-on experience with seafood processing and smoking, including an introduction to seafood science and safety. The…
Read MoreSeaweed Handling and Processing Workshop
This hands-on workshop will help Alaskan individuals and companies better understand what’s involved in becoming a seaweed processor. Topics covered will include those in…
Read MoreSupervisor training for seafood processors
Alaska Sea Grant and the Applied Business program at the UAF Community and Technical College are collaborating to offer leadership and supervisory skills training for…
Read MoreAlaska Seaweed Handling and Processing Workshop
This three-day hands-on workshop will cover the fundamentals of starting a commercial seaweed processing business, and will take place at the Kodiak Seafood and Marine…
Read MoreKodiak hosts regional marine science symposium
Alaska Sea Grant recently wrapped up the fourth Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium. The multi-day symposium had taken place every three years since 2011, but…
Read MoreAlaska Sea Grant helps solve seal oil safety concerns
For many rural coastal communities in Alaska, seal oil is a mainstay of traditional diets. It is used as a dipping sauce and to flavor…
Read MoreKodiak Area Marine Science Symposium 2021
Updated April 29: download the PDF Agenda/Schedule and Abstract Book. Updated April 18: see below for new listing of partnered activities for children and adults. Updated April…
Read MoreKSMSC Newsletter
A quarterly publication highlighting KSMSC activities.
Kodiak Faculty
and Staff
Melissa Good
Mariculture Specialist, Kodiak
Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center coordinator
(907) 486-1505