Mariculture and Aquatic Farming

Statewide Home

Click to see images
from the field

Overview of Production and Value:

• 1990-2008 Aquatic Farming Production and Number of Farms Graphic
• 1990-2008 Statewide Aquatic Farming Production and Value Data

Annual Mariculture Reports:

• 2003 Annual Mariculture Report
• 2002 Mariculture Annual Report — PDF file* (1,003K)
• 1995 Mariculture Annual Report — PDF file* (1,280K)
• 1994 Mariculture Annual Report — PDF file* (484K)
• 1993 Mariculture Annual Report
    VERY LARGE PDF file * (7,245K) — also available in smaller pieces: Part 1 (1,351K) | Part 2 (1,385K) | Part 3 (1,413K) | Part 4 (891K) | Part 5 (1,062K) | Part 6 (1,179K).
• 1992 Mariculture Annual Report — PDF file* (477K)
• 1991 Mariculture Annual Report — PDF file* (345K)
• 1990 Mariculture Annual Report
    LARGE PDF file * (2,228K) — also available in smaller pieces: Part 1 (507K) | Part 2 (582K) | Part 3 (1,136K)

• 2002 Mariculture Program Overview —  LARGE PDF file* (1.6 MB);
  FLASH file**

• 2003 Geoduck Clam Mariculture Site Survey Cruise Report LARGE PDF file * (2,797K) — also available in smaller pieces: Part 1 (1,449K) | Part 2 (1,451K)
• 1999 Littleneck and Geoduck Clam Mariculture Site Evaluation Cruise Report —
  LARGE PDF file * (1,735K) — also available in smaller pieces: Part 1 (913K) | Part 2 (975K)

Wild stock Harvest on Individual Aquatic Farm Sites:

Geoduck Wildstock Harvest

Aquatic farm operation permit holders of geoduck farms are allowed to harvest insignificant amounts of wild stock geoducks from their farm sites under AS 16. 40.100(b)(2). Currently subtidal farm sites are not permitted if there is a significant amount of wild stock on them under AS 16.40.105(5). As per AS 16.40.155 the department may release records regarding cumulative annual harvests of wild stocks at individual aquatic farm sites. Interim-use permits are issued by Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) each year for subtidal geoducks farm sites. Permit holders must apply for an interim-use permit (that is specific for each farm site) before they can harvest wild stock on their leased and permitted subtidal farm sites. Permit holders must complete a fish ticket for each farm site at the time of harvest.

Table 1 provides details on the annual cumulative number of wild stock geoducks harvested on each permitted subtidal farm by year. The cumulative totals of wild stock geoducks harvested in 2006, 2007, and 2008 are 11,796, 4,122, and 0, respectively. Numbers for 2009 are not yet available.

• 2006-2008 Cumulative Numbers of Wild Stock Geoduck
  Harvested on Subtidal Farm Sites — PDF file * (28K)

• Aquatic Farmers Contact Information:Current Aquatic Farmer Listing - PDF file* (35K)
• Permit Information: LEGAL-SIZED and LETTER-SIZED -PDF files* (44K)
• Approve Species By Permit Holder: LEGAL-SIZED and LETTER-SIZED -PDF files* (85K)
• Maps
  • Alaska
    • Aquatic Farms by Culture Method - PDF file* (671K)
  • Southeast Alaska
    • Aquatic Farms by Culture Method - PDF file* (793K)
    • Aquatic Farms by Culture Method, Ketchikan Area - PDF file* (623K)
    • Aquatic Farms by Culture Method, Petersburg-Wrangell-Craig Area - PDF file* (739K)
    • Aquatic Farms by Culture Method, Haines-Sitka Area - PDF file* (744K)
    • Aquatic Farms by Approved Species - PDF file* (788K)
  • Southcentral Alaska
    • Aquatic Farms by Culture Method - PDF file* (765K)
    • Aquatic Farms by Culture Method, Cook Inlet-Seward Area - PDF file* (642K)
    • Aquatic Farms by Culture Method, Prince William Sound Area - PDF file* (680K)
    • Aquatic Farms by Approved Species - PDF file* (756K)
  • Alaska Department of Natural Resources Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
  • Genetic Larval Drift Zones - PDF file* (61K)

• Hatchery and Nurseries List
  
  
• Hatchery Certification Requirements
  
  ADF&G certification requirements for hatcheries and seed distribution facilities are on Page 30 of the Regional Information Report 5J03-07, Regulation Changes, Policies and Guidelines for Alaska Fish and Shellfish Health and Disease Control (PDF file* - 865K). By Ted Meyers. March 2003. 75 pp.
  
  
• Nursery Certification Requirements.
  

  ADF&G certification requirements for nursery facilities that grow out juveniles are on Page 29 of the Regional Information Report 5J03-07, Regulation Changes, Policies and Guidelines for Alaska Fish and Shellfish Health and Disease Control (PDF file* - 865K). By Ted Meyers. March 2003. 75 pp.

• Mariculture Questions and Answers

To Apply for Aquatic Farm or Hatchery Operation Permit

• Multi-Agency Aquatic Farm and Hatchery Application (link to DNR)
  

  This application can be submitted only during the Aquatic Farm Openings. The next opening is planned for January – April 2009. This Aquatic Farm application packet is designed to help you obtain the authorizations routinely required by the State of Alaska Departments of Natural Resources (DNR), Fish and Game (ADF&G), Environmental Conservation (DEC), and Division of Governmental Coordination (DGC) to site and construct your aquatic farm project. This packet can be used to apply for the following: Aquatic Farm Operation Permit and Special Area Permit (ADF&G), Aquatic Farm site Lease (DNR), Coastal Zone Consistency Certification (COE) and General Permit 91-7.

• Special Area Permit Application — PDF file* (22K)
  

  An additional permit has to be filled out for proposed aquatic farms located in Kachemak Bay Critical Habitat Area. — PDF file* (98K): Sport Fish Division website.

To Apply for Operation Permit Amendment

• Aquatic Farm Operations Amendment Matrix — PDF file* (12K)
  

  Use this matrix as a guide to aid in identifying agency requirements and forms that apply to each type of proposed change of an Aquatic Farm Operation.

• Aquatic Farm Operation Permit Amendment Form — PDF file* (42K)
• Joint Agency Aquatic Farm Amendment Request Form — PDF file* (201K)
• Aquatic Farm and Hatchery Operation and Development Plan Form - PDF file* (114K)
  

  Use this form for modifications to the farm production or seed stock goals within the permitted farm boundaries. This should be attached to the appropriate amendment form.

To Apply for Operation Permit Renewal or Transfer to new Permit Holder

• Aquatic Farm Operation Permit Renewal and Transfer Application - PDF file* (34K)
  

  Use this form to request a renewal or transfer of your operation permit to another entity. A $100.00 renewal or transfer fee is required (5AAC 41.280) and must be submitted with the completed form. If you are transferring your operation permit and there is a lease, please contact DNR to get a reassignment of the lease.

To Apply for Transport of Shellfish Seed or Acquisition of Brood Stock

• Seed Transport from a Certified Hatchery - PDF file* (19K)
  

  Required for importing, exporting, and moving seed within the State when the seed is from a CERTIFIED source (Sec. 16.40.130, Sec. 16.40.140, Sec. 16.40.150 and 5 AAC 41.070(b)). List of certified sources available here

• Acquisition and Transport Application - PDF file* (22K)
  

  Required when acquiring and/or transporting brood stock or seed stock that is not from a State certified source (Sec. 16.40.120, Sec. 16.40.130, Sec. 16.40.150 and 5 AAC 41.070(b))

To Apply for Research or Enhancement Project Permit  

• Fish Resource Permit Application - PDF file * (126K) or downloadable Word document
  

  Required of anyone who wants to transport, possess, export from the state, or release into the waters of the state, any live fish. Applicants wishing to export live fish from the state must attach a permit to import from officials of the receiving state. In all cases the project must already have been discussed or approved in another document or permit before an FTP application will be processed. The review take approximately 45 days. Mail/email back to the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries, Attn: Sara Larsen, P.O. Box 25526, Juneau, AK 99802 -- email: Sara Conrad)

For Annual Reporting 

• Aquatic Farm Operation Permit Annual Report, Operating Year 2008 — PDF file* (73K)
  

  Required each calendar year of operation for all aquatic farm and hatchery operation permit holders (5 AAC 41.270). Mail completed form back to the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries, Attn: David Petree, P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811 -- email: David Petree.

Kachemak Bay Critical Habitat Area 

• Special Area Permit Application (for farms located in Kachemak Bay Critical Habitat Area) — PDF file* (98K) Sport Fish Division website.
  

Statutes

• Aquatic Farming and Hatchery Permits Statutes (AS 16.40.100-199)
  

Current Regulations

• Transportation, Possession and Release of Live Fish; Aquatic Farming (Applicability of Regulations) - (5 AAC 41.200-400) - Effective November25, 2005
  Avaiable from the Alaska Administrative Code (AAC) database or as a PDF File (162KB)
  
  Note: The AAC link above will query the Legislative Affair's Folio database for the entire contents of the chapter. Currently, this version of the regulations does not yet include the May 19, 2005 regulation changes. See below for versions with the changes.

History of Regulation Revisions

• 2009 Proposed Changes to Mariculture and Aquatic Farming Program Regulations
  A copy of the supplemental notices, the proposed regulation changes, and the background document regarding the revisions, have been provided for your reference. A brief summary of the testimony provided at the public hearing held on June 10, 2009 has been provided as well.

  • Second Supplemental notice for public hearing — PDF file* (70K)
  • Supplemental notice — PDF file* (57K)
  • Proposed regulation changes — PDF file* (24K)
  • Background Document — PDF file* (28K)
  • Public Hearing Summary, June 10, 2009 — PDF file* (17K)
    For a taped copy of the public hearing testimony on CD contact Board Support Scott Crass, Publications Specialist II, PO Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811, Phone: (907) 465-4046, Fax: (907) 465-6094.
• Regulation changes to 5 AAC 41 (Effective November 25, 2005) - PDF file* (26K)
  
  These proposed regulations were drafted to implement House Bill 198.
  • Explanation in Response to Public Comments - PDF file* (32K)
  • Regulations (revisions only): Public Notice Version - PDF file* (91K)
  • Sectional Analysis (Before Public Comments considered.) - PDF file* (20K)
    
    
• Regulation changes to 5 AAC 41 (Effective May 19, 2005) - PDF file* (110K)
• Summary of changes - PDF file* (9K)
  
  

Legislative Bills (Enacted)

• HB 198 - Effective July 1, 2005.
• HB 208 - Effective June 21, 2002. Signed into law under Chapter 81, SLA 2005.

  For additional information see the following document: Over the Counter - PDF file* (127K) - Link to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Farm Program Information (HB 208).

Legal Court Decisions

• Alaska Trademark Shellfish et al. v. State of Alaska et al.
• Supreme Court Ruling —  PDF file* (87K)
• Superior Court Ruling —  PDF file* (856K)

Regulation Review Stakeholder Meetings

• Minutes from Feb 9, 2007 (Geoduck Farmers only) —  PDF file* (309K)
• Minutes from May 23, 2005 (not yet available).
• Minutes from January 29, 2004 —  PDF file* (111K)
• Minutes from January 5, 2004 —  PDF file* (124K)
• Minutes from December 19, 2003 —  PDF file* (92K)
• Minutes from November 11, 2003 —  PDF file* (78K)
  

• Insignificant Harvest Requirements for Current Geoduck Farmers
  (Steps for geoduck aquatic farm permit holders to follow to harvest insignificant nos. of wild stock geoduck from their permitted geoduck farm sites.)

• Tongass Island Geoduck Mortality and Survival Study - PDF file* (531K)
• Oyster and Rock Scallop Growth Study
• Abalone Growth and Reproduction Study
• Chugach Regional Resource Commission (CRRC) Bivalve Enhancement Study
• Suitability of Two Sand Bars Near the Native Village of Eyak
  for the Enhancement of Razor Clams - LARGE PDF file* (1135K)

• Developing a Mariculture business in Alaska - PDF file* (715K)
• Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning: The Alaska Problem - LARGE PDF file* (1,366K)
• Eyak Village Razor Clam Enhancement Study - PDF file* (618K)

• Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)
• Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC)
• Department of Natural Resources (ADNR)
• University of Alaska - Alaska Marine Advisory Program

• Aquaculture Network Information Center
• Aquaculture Resources: Alternative Farming System Info Center (USDA)

• Alaska Shellfish Growers Association (ASGA) - link to commercial site
• Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association (PSGA)

* Adobe Acrobat PDF files require a free viewer available directly from Adobe. Need a hard copy of a publication? Contact CF Publications.