Gulf of Alaska | Ecosystem Perspectives
Sustainable mariculture development for restoration and economic benefit in the EVOS spill area: An introduction to the ReCon
Presenter: Alysha Cypher , acypher@pwssc.org, Prince William Sound Science Center Katrina Hoffman , khoffman@pwssc.org, Prince William Sound Science Center Ginny Eckert , gleckert@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks Julie Decker , jdecker@afdf.org, Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation John Whissel , john.whissel@eyak-nsn.gov, Native Village of Eyak Rob Campbell , rcampbell@pwssc.org, Prince William Sound Science Center
Quentin Fong , qsfong@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks Melissa Good , melissa.good@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks Jordan Hollarsmith , jordan.hollarsmith@noaa.gov, NOAA AFSC Amanda Kelley , alkelley@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
Brenda Konar , bhkonar@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks Chris Long , chris.long@noaa.gov, NOAA Alaska Fishery Science Center Alexei Pinchuk , aipinchuk@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks Michael Rehberg , michael.rehberg@alaska.gov, Alaska Departmetn of Fish and Game Anne Schaefer , aschaefer@pwssc.org, Prince William Sound Science Center Schery Umanzor , sumanzor@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks Rob Bochenek , rob@axiomdatascience.com, Axiom Data Science, A Tetra Tech Company
The Mariculture Research and Restoration Consortium (Mariculture ReCon) is a multi-year investigation that takes a multifaceted approach to grow the mariculture industry in Alaska. Here, we provide a brief introduction to the ReCon, which address five-farm centered and integrative components that focus on the restoration and economic development potential of mariculture in Kodiak, Kachemak Bay, and Prince William Sound. Species of interest include Pacific oysters ( Crassostrea gigas ), sugar kelp ( Saccharina latissima ), bull kelp ( Nereocystis luetkeana ), and ribbon kelp ( Alaria marginata ). The objective of this program is to support restoration, habitat enhancement, and economic development through research and partnerships between scientists and seaweed and shellfish farmers. As of January 2020, the mariculture industry in Alaska included 58 aquatic farms, 4 hatcheries and 8 nurseries with 28 of these operations based in the EVOS spill-affected area. Mariculture growth in the spill affected area would benefit ecosystem functioning through habitat provisioning, reducing ocean acidification impacts, pollution mitigation, and supporting fish populations, and bring economic benefit through sustainable food production and employment. The Alaska Mariculture Development Plan set a goal to grow this industry to $100 million in 20 years. Our program will support this growth by bringing together farmers, scientists, and economists to evaluate environmental conditions that enhance crop yields, effects of farming on biological communities, and mariculture product and market development. This program will begin producing results in 2023.
Alaska Marine Science Symposium 2023 158
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