The 2024 Alaska Seaweed Genetics Workshop presentation slides are now linked in agenda. (Please note, not all slides are available.)

On behalf of Alaska Sea Grant, the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, and the Alaska Mariculture Research and Training Center, we would like to invite you to the Alaska Seaweed Genetics Workshop in Juneau, Alaska, April 1–2. Be a part of the conversation among scientists and the mariculture industry as we illuminate areas of research to support the sustainable management of seaweed aquaculture.

As a precaution to protect genetic diversity in seaweed populations, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has created the 50–50 Rule for the state of Alaska that mandates that collected sorus tissue for mariculture operations must be collected from more than 50 parent individuals from within 50 km of the outplanting site. With these rules in place and only a few kelp hatcheries in the state, it can be temporally and economically costly to grow seaweed in Alaska. Fifty kilometers is small when Alaska has roughly 76,000 kilometers of coastline—more than California, Oregon, and Washington combined. Alaska has received significant funding to grow from a $1 million to a $100 million industry in the next 20 years, so how do we move forward while still preserving genetic diversity?

Our goal is to facilitate a conversation with scientists and managers inside and outside Alaska to learn how other regions address these challenges. We hope to synthesize the state of knowledge to inform management practices that can support industry growth without harming wild stocks.

The conference will be held at the Centennial Hall and Convention Center in Juneau, Alaska. The Baranof by Best Western Downtown Juneau has kindly provided a discounted room rate for the days of the workshop. Please use the link below to reserve your room. The last day to book with the link to guarantee this group rate is March 1, 2024.

https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.02019.html?groupId=2Z6VV2C8

Note to event speakers, presenters and panelists: The event sessions on April 1–2 may be recorded and shared online to educate those unable to attend.

Registration

The registration fee for the Alaska Seaweed Genetics Workshop is $50. The fee is waived for students, speakers, and current Alaskan farmers/processor, by entering the registration code SGW24. (Registration deadline is Tuesday, March 26, 2024.)

Agenda (link to pdf)                               Abstracts (link to pdf)

Contact

Alaska Seaweed Genetics Workshop: contact Jessica Whitney
Alaska Sea Grant Mariculture Specialist: contact Melissa Good
Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation: contact Hannah Wilson

Alaska Sea Grant accommodation and code of conduct

Alaska Sea Grant is committed to providing safe and welcoming environments for all who participate in activities, meetings, or events. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made at least five business days in advance to sea.grant@alaska.edu. Participants and organizers of Alaska Sea Grant-sponsored activities are supported by the Alaska Sea Grant event code of conduct.