The application period for the 2020 Alaska Seaweed Farm Start-ups Training Program is now closed. AFDF and partners will notify applicants of selections by January 15th, 2020 at the latest. Thank you all for your applications and interest, we are truly looking forward to this collaborative program! Please stay tuned and come back to the AFDF website for more updates on the emerging mariculture industry in Alaska. Please reach out to Riley Smith with any other questions pertaining to the Alaska Seaweed Farm Start-ups Training Program.

The goal of this program is to provide tools and training for Alaskans to start seaweed farms. The program is targeted towards commercial fishermen, Alaska Natives, and fishing communities. The program will be completed in three sections:

1) online webinar,

2) in-person 2-day workshop, and

3) one-on-one mentoring for high-performing participants.

Participants will be required to attend the webinar and one of the in-person workshops. If the participant does not live in one of the three communities in which the workshops will be held, the applicant will be responsible for paying all travel and lodging costs. Topics covered will include identification of seaweed species, lifecycles of seaweed, the hatchery process, site selection, use of Mariculture Map, farm gear and equipment, business plan development, farm loans available, state lease application process, gear deployment, seeding and harvesting techniques, quality handling, and safety considerations. Information and instruction will be provided by GreenWave, Alaska Sea Grant, ADNR, ADFG, Blue Evolution, OceansAlaska, AFDF and others. Materials and food during the workshops will be provided. While cost of the program is free for those who are selected for the program, participants will be expected to attend and complete work products in order to continue to each section. Space will be limited to ten participants per workshop, and six participants total for one-on-one mentoring.

Important Dates:

November 22, 2019 – Application announcement

December 20, 2019 – Application due

January 15, 2020 – Selected applicants notified

February 4, 2020 from 10 am – noon AST – Introductory webinar

Workshop dates/locations:

February 13-14, 2020 – Kodiak Workshop (hosted by Blue Evolution & KSMSC)

– Kodiak Workshop (hosted by Blue Evolution & KSMSC) February 17-18, 2020 – Ketchikan Workshop (hosted by OceansAlaska & ASG)

– Ketchikan Workshop (hosted by OceansAlaska & ASG) February 20-21, 2020 – Sitka Workshop (hosted by Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Assoc)

Questions:

If you have questions about this application, you can contact Riley Smith.

Informational Links:

Video: Alaska Kelp Farming – A New Sustainable Seafood Opportunity

Video: Maine Kelp Farming, Ocean Approved

Seaweed Farming in Alaska, by Alaska Sea Grant

Aquatic Farming Program, Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources

Aquatic Farming Application, Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources

Kelp Farming Manual: A Guide to the Processes, Techniques, and Equipment for Farming Kelp in New England Waters