September 17, 2025 — Alaska’s coastline holds vast, untapped potential for seaweed aquaculture—but knowing exactly where wild kelp grows is critical for sustainable expansion. A new mapping project, led by NOAA Fisheries in collaboration with Alaska Sea Grant and local farmers, is working to locate these wild kelp beds. This will help:
- Source healthy kelp for farming
- Assist farmers in meeting state permitting requirements
- Support NOAA’s Aquaculture Opportunity Areas identification process