NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission have hosted a workshop to help realise the goal of developing a US$100 million mariculture industry in Alaska within the next 20 years.
The Alaska Mariculture Task Force, established in 2016, aims to develop the region’s mariculture sector through the enhancement, restoration and farming of shellfish and seafood, ambitions which are outlined in the 2018 Mariculture Development Plan.
The two day workshop brought together more than 60 participants including farmers, industry and tribal representatives, policy makers and researchers with sessions aimed at identifying industry needs and developing a shared vision for the future.
NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture, Alaska regional administrator, Jim Balsinger, introduced his office’s new aquaculture coordinator, Alicia Bishop. “Marine aquaculture in Alaska is still developing,” said Alicia Bishop. “That gives us lots of opportunities to learn from other regions and parts of the work and craft a programme that is right for Alaska, our people and our natural resources.”
Ms Bishop stressed the important of collaboration and partnerships as being key to success. The theme of ‘partnerships in action’ explored how the agency can remove barriers and provide opportunities. The information gathered from the workshop will be used to create a strategic roadmap and help identify next steps to foster sustainable mariculture development in Alaska.
