Alaska Forum Virtual Technical Session: Mariculture in Valdez: Integrating Community-Led Research into the NNA REU Experience

Mariculture in Alaska (marine culture of macroalgae and shellfish) has received significant attention and investment in recent years. The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council invested more than $30 million (USD) in Alaskan mariculture-related projects and infrastructure in October 2021. The US Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded $49 million to the “Alaska Mariculture Cluster” under its Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) program in 2022. That same year, the Alaska Legislature allocated $7 million to the University of Alaska to support mariculture research and development throughout the state. On a more local scale, The City of Valdez has promoted mariculture development in its community and region (Prince William Sound) in a variety of ways since 2021, including supporting the integration of mariculture programming into the local (K–12) school district, and supporting post-secondary and university collaborations, including those at Prince William Sound College (PWSC) and Alaska Blue Economy Center (ABEC).
This presentation will feature a unique effort where students accepted into the Navigating the New Arctic Research Experience for Undergraduates (NNA REU) Program delved into previous work by PWSC and ABEC to support mariculture farm site development in the vicinity of Valdez. As part of their NNA REU experience, three University of Alaska undergraduate students conducted research into how, why and where such a farm site could be located, based on data collected by PWSC faculty, staff, and students from 2023 through 2024. The students further explored how such efforts could be developed with Indigenous interests and perspectives at the forefront of these considerations, drawing from best practices and local connections. And, the students explored how resulting production could be integrated into construction materials research taking place at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Automated and Construction and Advanced Materials Laboratory (ACAM). With the assistance of mentors from ABEC, PWSC, and ACAM these students presented on their work and findings at the 2026 Alaska Forum for the Environment in Anchorage, and will share their experiences as part of the April 8 Alaska Forum Technical Virtual Session.”
Lead presenter: Tommy Sheridan, Director, Alaska Blue Economy Center
Student presenters: Hannah Bogdan, Naomi Krause, and Sabrina Dunphrey