Hatchery

A widespread, high-quality network of kelp hatcheries can serve as the foundation for developing a robust and scalable seaweed industry in Alaska. Ongoing effective collaborations between research institutes and commercial hatcheries in different regions of Alaska are improving propagation protocols. This contributes to local biodiversity conservation and increases industry efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

According to ADFG analysis, 299,000 feet of seeded line were sold in 2022, followed by 233,100 feet in 2023, representing a 22% decrease. This decrease correlated with lower production reported by hatcheries in 2023.

A hatchery is a facility designed to initiate species reproduction and support young seaweeds' early growth before it is transfered to sea. In Alaska, the process begins in with the collection of spore-rich sorus tissue, usually the top part of the kelp, from August to October.

In a controlled environment, with specific light, temperature, and nutrients, spores settle on strings wrapped around PVC spools. These spores develop into juvenile sporophytes, which eventually grow into adult kelp. Hatchery operators in Alaska manage the collection, spore extraction, and maintenance of culture tanks to ensure the healthy development of the kelp.

The primary season includes the cultivation and winter outplanting of the seed spools, typically done around November, after around 6 weeks of growing in the hatchery. Commercial hatcheries must produce consistent, high-quality seedlings in sufficient quantities to meet farmers' needs. Different seaweed species may require different methods for growing seedlings - such as grafting into longlines, isolating the tip for starter cultures, or culturing and breeding gametophyte stocks, which eventually become juvenile sporophytes and grow into full-sized adult kelp.

The continuous efforts of existing hatcheries to adapt to Alaska's unique features and landscape ensure a resilient and reliable supply of seeds. These diverse and creative setups and adjustments in hatchery operations aim to provide a consistent supply of seeds of a range of species with desirable traits such as fast growth rates and disease resistance.

There is potential for Alaska’s researchers and regulators to reexamine the 50/50 rule and allow gametophyte seed bank cultivation. This could relieve some hatchery-related bottlenecks. For example, farmers wouldn’t have to dive for sorus tissue every year and clear up other challenges stemming from the 50-50 requirements. In April 2024, Alaska Sea Grant and AFDF hosted the Alaska Seaweed Genetic Workshop, addressing some of these issues.

R&D and innovation

Research can solve functional problems and contribute new knowledge, processes, technology, and innovation to Alaska's growing seaweed industry. Partnering with farmers, hatcheries, and other stakeholders in applied research is critical for the industry's growth and for effectively leveraging research funding.

How R&D can support sustainable practices

Tamsen Peeples, a master's student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Juneau, is conducting experiments to improve commercial seaweed hatchery protocols. She is collaborating with Sea Quester Farms to find a natural replacement for the synthetic string currently used for kelp seeding lines, which needs to be removed from the long lines after harvesting, and causes significant labor and environmental issues. The goal is to identify a natural fiber, such as cotton, silk, or hemp, that can last long enough for the migration of the sporophyte to the main grow line but then dissolve. This ongoing research aims to find a suitable replacement to reduce labor, expenses, and waste.