AFDF Announces 2021 Seaweed Farm Start-up Training Program

The goal of this program is to provide the tools and training necessary for Alaskans to start their own seaweed farm. The program is targeted toward commercial fishermen, Alaska Natives, and fishing communities.

The program will be completed in four sections:

• An online webinar on February 2, 2021
• A series of virtual, technical, multi-day workshops over one week beginning on February 22, 2021
• One-on-one mentoring for high-performing participants
• Potential in-person, hands-on field training in the spring/summer of 2021 (COVID-19 permitting)

Although there is no expected cap on the number of participants for the webinar, the series of technical, multi-day workshops will be capped at 150 and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible participants.

Registration for the series of technical, multi-day workshops will open on February 3, following the introductory webinar, and remain open for one week.

Materials, final workshop dates/times, and workshop information will be distributed to registered participants prior to both the webinar and technical workshops.

Tops covered will include identification of seaweed species, lifecycles of seaweed, the hatchery process, site evaluation, use of the Mariculture Map, farm gear and equipment design, business plan development, farm financing, 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, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Blue Evolution, OceansAlaska, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, AMSEA, seaweed farmers, and others.