By Sue Keller*
Researchers are welcome to apply for grants to advance the aquaculture industry in Alaska and nationwide. The deadline for proposals is March 2, 2018.
National Sea Grant expects to have available $7 million to $11.5 million over fiscal years 2018, 2019 and 2020 as part of the Sea Grant National Aquaculture Initiative. The organization recently announced a request for proposals.
“The Alaska aquaculture industry has tremendous potential, so we look forward to working with researchers and the aquaculture industry to develop their proposals,” said Ginny Eckert, Alaska Sea Grant associate director for research. “Alaska’s aquaculture industry includes shellfish farming, salmon ranching, and new seaweed farms.”
According to some, mariculture (sea aquaculture) has the potential to provide much-needed diversity for the weak Alaska economy. Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation director Julie Decker and others are backing a plan to grow Alaska mariculture to a $1 billion industry in the next 30 years.
The goal of National Sea Grant’s aquaculture initiative is to increase aquaculture production or stimulate or advance new aquaculture opportunities. Projects are especially encouraged that have a team approach and integrate with a Sea Grant program and that involve impacts across a broad geographic area.
Contact Michele Frandsen (michele.frandsen@alaska.edu, 907-474-7088) at least a month prior to March 2 to discuss proposed projects and arrange partnerships. Please refer to the Alaska Sea Grant website https://seagrant.uaf.edu/research/aquaculture/2018/ for guidance.
*Source: Alaska Sea Grant
