NOAA FISHERIES ALASKA FY24 AQUACULTURE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

NOAA Fisheries Alaska (Alaska Regional Office and Alaska Fisheries Science Center) has continued coordinated efforts to prioritize projects and actions to support the growing Alaska aquaculture industry. We achieved a number of notable accomplishments this year in our Aquaculture Program, building off existing research and partnerships as well as starting new efforts to further our impact. This presentation provides a summary of the accomplishments for our identified priority areas.

Marine aquaculture—also referred to in Alaska as mariculture—helps support Alaska’s blue economy, contributing to sustainable seafood, and local economies. Seaweed and shellfish aquaculture have been shown to provide ecosystem benefits including creating habitat for mobile fish and invertebrates species. Aquaculture also establishes economic opportunities by creating jobs, supporting eco-tourism, and other pathways.

Alaska aquaculture has room to grow, and there are many collaborative efforts underway to promote and expand this sustainable industry. This presentation will highlight a variety of projects and actions undertaken by the Alaska Regional Office and Alaska Fisheries Science Center in 2024 to support of all four goals identified in the 2023-2028 NOAA Aquaculture Strategic Plan:

• Manage Sustainably and Efficiently - Improve the regulatory processes for sustainable coastal and marine aquaculture through collaboration with partners.
• Lead Science for Sustainability - Use world-class science expertise to meet management and industry needs for a thriving seafood production sector and share this knowledge broadly.
• Educate and Exchange Information - Build awareness and support for coastal, marine, and Great Lakes aquaculture through two-way communication with diverse stakeholders and partners.
• Support Viability and Growth - Support workforce development, with a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, based on local communities’ needs, interests, and capacities.

NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office and Alaska Fisheries Science Center will continue to play a significant role in the management, policy, and research that helps build a sustainable Alaska aquaculture industry. Implementing our Aquaculture Action Plan and Aquaculture Research Strategic Plan helps our agency prioritize efforts based on our agency’s strengths and management and industry needs, focusing our efforts to best serve Alaska.