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 […]
JUNEAU – The House of Representatives today passed House Bill 41, which would create a regulatory framework for the Department of Fish and Game to manage shellfish enhancement projects. HB 41 allows qualified nonprofits to pursue enhancement and restoration projects involving shellfish, setting up strict safety standards that will ensure sustainability of existing stocks while enabling the […]
ANCHORAGE — The State Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed a death in Alaska to be consistent with paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). The individual who died had underlying health conditions that contributed to the death; however, the primary cause of death was determined to be paralytic shellfish toxin exposure. This is the first known […]
JUNEAU, KETCHIKAN – University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) researchers Dr. John Harley and Dr. Matthew Pawlus have been studying shellfish toxicity to help create a safer environment in Southeast Alaska. Shellfish like mussels and clams have been an abundant food source in the region, however recent harmful algal blooms (HABs) have increased the likelihood […]