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“Southeast Alaska’s vast resources and hardworking people create opportunity for economic growth and diversification,” Torres Small said. “USDA is investing in this effort by engaging with local Tribes, governments and community leaders to encourage economic growth that reflects the region’s rich diversity, cultural heritage and natural resources. Mariculture is a critical and growing income and job creator in Southeast Alaska. Farmers in the region have requested dedicated infrastructure to scale up their operations to meet market demands. This investment is the first step in standing up a shared processing space that will save on costs and create new market opportunities.”
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) last week welcomed the announcement of the $500,000 awardto Southeast Conference to design a mariculture processing facility to be located on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska - home to one of the largest kelp farms in the United States.
Senator Murkowski said, “Creating sustainable economies in rural and remote communities can be challenging, but this investment, in recognition of the promise that Alaska’s unique and growing mariculture industry holds, is important progress. This new facility will create jobs and support a growing industry in our state. While finfish and shellfish are two pillars of the seafood economy in Alaska, the commercial use of kelp and other seaweeds for food and other purposes is on the rise in many of our coastal communities. I commend USDA for giving Southeast Conference the opportunity to use their local knowledge to create a blueprint for a culturally and geographically appropriate facility.”
Murkowski said, “I’ve long said that those who work in the seafood and mariculture industries are truly the farmers of the sea and have been a strong advocate for Alaska’s Blue Economy with the administration. We appreciate this investment and look forward to seeing its positive impact on this rapidly growing industry.”
Quoting a USDA’s news release, this investment is part of an ongoing effort to help create jobs and diversify the economy in Southeast Alaska. The proposed maritime processing center will support aquatic farming of kelp, seaweed and shellfish. Co-op members will be able to handle, store, freeze, pack, process, label and load their harvest safely and cost-effectively.
The news release states the project is the result of USDA’s continued engagement with people and organizations in the region, exemplified by the Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy. Through this strategy, USDA is collaborating with Tribes, Alaska Native corporations, partners and communities to identify additional investments that will support economic growth, natural resources and community well-being in the region. The Department is committed to strengthening small businesses, expanding broadband reliability, increasing renewable energy production, and supporting local foods and agriculture production, water and sewer infrastructure, health care, housing and outdoor tourism in southeast Alaska.
A mariculture processing facility would process kelp, oysters, and other marine organisms.
Source of News:
US Dept of Agriculture - Rural Development
www.rd.usda.govOffice of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski
www.murkowski.senate.gov
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