The OceansAlaska (OA) shellfish hatchery aims to enhance workforce training and expand technical capabilities for the growing aquatic farming industry, a key economic driver for Southeast Alaska. In 2022, OA conducted outreach and hands-on training in various communities, including Metlakatla and Sitka, engaging students and Native community members in shellfish hatchery techniques and potential career paths. The program seeks to expand these workshops and trainings by improving the hatchery and increasing its technical capacity, ensuring a skilled workforce for Alaska’s mariculture industry.
Through partnerships with organizations like Alaska Sea Grant, OA hosted multiple 12-person trainings in 2023 and 2024, including Tribal members and residents from various Alaskan communities. OA has also advanced Alaska’s mariculture technical capacity by developing new techniques for oyster spawning and raising, successfully delivering 290,000 seed oysters to farms in 2023. Additionally, OA has mentored interns who have pursued advanced degrees and careers in mariculture, while also completing hatchery repairs and upgrades, including moving its barge hatchery.
The Shellfish Hatchery Internship & Program Development Program is funded by SEC within the Southeast Alaska Sustainable Strategy (SASS) Program.
