Alaska has over 30,000 miles of coastline with clean, pristine, nutrient-rich waters. Over 50% of the seafood harvested in the U.S. is harvested off the coast of Alaska. The potential for mariculture to provide benefits and opportunities in coastal fishing communities in Alaska is tremendous . Mariculture also offers the potential to provide vitality and resiliency to communities which are facing future threats from declining fish stocks, ocean acidification, ocean warming and other changes. The challenge is turning the vast potential for mariculture benefits and opportunitie s into a reality. In 2014, NOAA provided a grant to the Alaska Fisherie s Development Foundation to lead the Alaska Mariculture Initiative, which resulted in Governor Walker establishing the Alaska Mariculture Task Force (Task Force) by Administrative Order (AO) #280 and #297 . The Task Force completed the Alaska Mariculture Development Plan in 2018 and the Task Force is now working with Governor Dunleavy towards the implementation of the Plan. The goal of the Plan is to "g row a $100 million mariculture industry in 20 years."
Currently there are 59 aquatic farms, 5 hatcheries, and 8 nurseries authorized to operate in Alaska. A tangible indication of the success of the Alaska Mariculture Initiative is the significant increase in applications received by the state for aquatic farms in 2017, 2018, and 2019 . A pproximately 50 applications for new aquatic farms have been submitted during this period.
Public investment has also increased, as new mariculture positions within NOAA and the state government are being hired in Alaska. Additionally, the Governor and Legislature are reviewing laws and regulations to improve processes and increase public-private partnerships for investing in and growing the industry.
(NOTE: In Alaska , mariculture is defined as enhancement, restoration, and aquatic farming of shellfish and seaweed. For these purposes, mariculture does not include finfish farming, which is prohibited in Alaska waters.)