You’ve seen the buoys resting on the surface, but what does a farming bull kelp look like from below? 🤔
@alpine_and_sea & @nesbittphotography recently went out to @seaquesterfarms to check on the growth of their bull kelp and the GoPro footage is too lovely not to share! 💚
Would you dive on a kelp farm ?? 🤿
#AMRTC #Kelp #Oysters #Mariculture #OceanFarming #Aquaculture #Alaska #Research #KelpFarming #OysterFarming #Shellfish #BlueEconomy #NOAA #SeaGrant #Seaweed #OceanFarming #Research #Training #BullKelp #Nereocystis
For centuries, terrestrial farms have been utilizing technology to better understand what soil conditions maximize yield. Although still a nascent industry, kelp and oyster farmers are looking to develop these same insights for farming in coastal Alaska waters. 🌊
With the aid of a small scientific instrument called the CTD, farmers are able to take science into their own hands to learn about what unseen forces are at work on their farms. CTD’s are named after the measurements they collect; conductivity, temperature and depth. From these, the sensor uses an algorithm to calculate the salinity, or saltiness, of the water. 📉
Temperature 🌡️ and salinity are two oceanographic keystone parameters that can influence local currents and water column mixing. Because saltier water has a higher density, fresh water floats on top of it, creating a stratified, or layered, farm environment. In turn, stratification and mixing can determine the availability of light, oxygen, nutrients, and phytoplankton, all of which are essential to a healthy ocean harvest. 🦪
This work is part of the Mariculture Research & Restoration Consortium (MarReCon) project. Learn more via the 🔗 link in our bio.
#AMRTC #Kelp #Oysters #Mariculture #OceanFarming #Aquaculture #Alaska #Research #KelpFarming #OysterFarming #Shellfish #BlueEconomy #NOAA #SeaGrant #Seaweed #OceanFarming #Research #Training
HAPPENING SOON !!
Alaska Sea Grant will be at the @uafairbanks Arctic Research Open House !! 🐻❄️💙
🗓️ Thursday May 14, 2026
⏰ 4 - 7 PM
📍UAF Troth Yeddha’ Campus | O’Neill patio
Come learn about Riley O'Neil’s research on the impact of Alaskan oyster farms on sea otter prey communities. 🦦🦪
AND ...
Create your own tote bag featuring original artwork by Fairbanks artist Tiffany of @darkfeather_designs . Choose from a salmon, aurora rockfish, sea star, Pacific oyster or halibut design !! 🐟
See you there !! 🤩
#AlaskaSeaGrant #Research #Education #Outreach
Did someone say MAR RECON DOUBLE DEFENSE DAY ?!? 😱
Tomorrow, Friday May 8th, 2026, two MarReCon students will defend their Masters thesis on the @uafairbanks campus - 201 O'Neill.
⏰ 11:00 AM: Riley O'Neill
Advisor: Dr. Brenda Konar
Influence of Alaskan Oyster Farms on Benthic and Sea Otter Prey Communities 🦦🦪
⏰ 2:00 PM: Emily Nicholson
Advisor: Dr. Brenda Konar
Spatial, temporal, and environmental characteristics associated with Alaskan oyster farm biofouling communities 🦪
Stop on by the @uafairbanks campus or tune in via Zoom! 💻
Best of luck, Riley and Emily - we know you're going to do great !! 🩵
#AMRTC #Kelp #Oysters #Mariculture #Aquaculture
Can you believe that the 80th Annual Phycological Society of America meeting is going to be held in Juneau this year ?? 🩵
We are so excited to welcome so many phyco-philes to Alaska June 14-17, 2027 !! 🌿
Make sure you stop by the @alaskaseagrant x @alaskamrtc booth. We will have seaweed Buffs, swag, books, and you can even pick up a copy of the NEW 2nd edition of the Field Guide to Seaweeds of Alaska !! 📚
PS: you may even be able to get a signed copy 🤭
Learn more about @psa_algae on their Instagram or via the 🔗 link in our bio.
Cover images 📸: @nesbittphotography & Melissa Good/Alaska Sea Grant.
#PSA #Seaweed #Algae #Alaska #Kelp
Our mission at Alaska Sea Grant is to enhance the sustainable use and conservation of Alaska’s marine, coastal, and watershed resources through research, education, and extension. 🩵
So to us, #EarthDay is everyday.
Join us in celebrating this wonderful blue & green planet we call home. 🌎
#AlaskaSeaGrant #Conservation #Sustainability #Research
NOW AVAILABLE: Gulf of Alaska Aquaculture Atlas !! 🦪🌿
On February 19, 2026, the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS - @noaa.coastal.sci ) published an Alaska Atlas identifying 77 options (50 to 2,000 acres) for Aquaculture Opportunity Area (AOA) identification across 10 study areas in Gulf of Alaska state waters. The Atlas is grounded in sound science, extensive public engagement, and interagency collaboration. The Atlas includes extensive peer-reviewed spatial mapping and data analyses that contribute to and inform the identification process. 🌎
In combination with the print Atlas, NOAA has also launched the Alaska Digital Aquaculture Atlas, which is the first digital tool of its kind designed to assist in the identification of AOAs. 📍
See the 🔗 link in our bio to explore the Alaska Digital Aquaculture Atlas and view AOA options and interactive data layers.
#AMRTC #Kelp #Oysters #Mariculture #Aquaculture
HOW MANY boats does Seawan own ?? 😳
We’ve taken a long hiatus, but we are back with EPISODE 3 OF @alaskamrtc ’s SALTY INTERVIEW SESSIONS !! 🦪🌿
AMRTC Salty Interview Sessions gives YOU the opportunity to meet the wonderful and hardworking farmers that make up Alaska’s mariculture industry !! 🌊
Meet Seawan Gehlbach of @simpsonbay.oysters !! When she’s not farming in Simpson Bay, she serves as the administrator for Alaska Marine Response. 🛟
Seawan is also one of our partner farmers on the Mariculture Research & Restoration Consortium (MarReCon) project. She is an absolute delight to do science with and a joy to have on the team!! 🤩
Sit back, relax, and get to know Seawan! 🍿
#AMRTC #Kelp #Oysters #Mariculture #OceanFarming
Join us on Thursday morning (April 16) for an interactive webinar on Harmful Algal Blooms!
Thomas Farrugia from @aoos_alaska & Rose Masui from the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve will present about the Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network and available data and communication tools! Bring your questions, ideas and feedback for an interactive discussion.
When: 9-10 AM, Thursday, April 16
Where: Zoom! Save the link: bit.ly/HABSAOOS
Info on the AMA website: /event/webinar-harmful-algal-blooms-with-aoos/
#AlaskaHarmfulAlgalBloomNetwork #AlaskaHABs #alaskamariculture
Shellebrating the success of our 5th annual Oyster Hatchery Training Workshop in Ketchikan that took place at the Oceans Alaska barge facility in Ketchikan!
Attendees got hands on experience learning about:
- Basic biology/anatomy including dissection
- Microalgae production techniques
- Spawning
- Larval rearing
- Seed setting
- Site selection and water quality
- Land-based nursery rearing
- FLUPSY production
Huge thanks to Oceans Alaska, Alaska Sea Grant, The Alaska Mariculture Research & Training Center, B&B Mariculture, Eric Wyatt, and SeaGrove for working with the UAS Applied Fisheries Team to make this workshop happen!
Mariculture conference draws a crowd !! 👏🏻
Alaska’s enthusiasm for mariculture was evident at last month’s Mariculture Conference of Alaska. More than 300 people gathered in Anchorage for the three-day event. 🌿
“The success of this year’s Mariculture Conference of Alaska is a testament to the strength and collaboration of Alaska’s mariculture community,” stated Alaska Sea Grant mariculture specialist Melissa Good, one of the lead organizers of the event. “We are incredibly grateful to our planning committee and the many industry partners whose support and dedication made this event possible.” 🦪
Read the full event highlight on our website 🔗 linked in bio. alaskaseagrant.org > Events
#AMRTC #Kelp #Oysters #Mariculture #Aquaculture
