Discover the versatility of seaweed and the contributions of seaweed farming—or seaweed aquaculture—to working waterfronts and environmental sustainability. Seaweed is a nutritious, versatile, and pervasive organism. It is a type of macroalgae that can be used to make products we use every day—including fertilizers, animal feed, and cosmetics. It has even been described as a “superfood.” In […]
University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers have discovered a thriving ecosystem among the decomposing seaweed debris that covers many Alaska beaches, including nearly 100 different types of invertebrates found in surveys at a handful of sites on the Kenai Peninsula. It’s the first Alaska-based survey of the marine algae that washes up on beaches, known as […]
Seaweed farming is a major industry worldwide, with the United States importing more than 95%—19 million tons—of its edible seaweed. Alaska’s coast is ideal for producing home-grown seaweed to meet a greater share of the domestic market and to export and meet international demand. While interest in seaweed farming is growing in Alaska, a lack […]
Alaska’s burgeoning mariculture industry, which includes shellfish and seaweed farming, has substantial economic potential for coastal communities. The path to establish an aquatic farm is challenging, as prospective farmers are required to file multiple permits with four or more state and federal agencies. This confusing and time-consuming multi-agency permitting process was identified by the state’s […]