© Greenwave
The Alaska Mariculture Cluster - an industry coalition seeking to support the development of sustainable aquaculture within the state - has announced its investment in three innovative new projects. The projects, led by Pacific Kelp Company, GreenWave, and the Chugach Regional Resources Commission, aim to explore the potential of Alaskan kelp to enhance soil health and increase crop resilience whilst supporting the state's developing seaweed farming industry.
The Pacific Kelp Company will use the grant funding to test the efficacy of its nutrient-dense liquid kelp extract product, which is specifically targeted towards turfgrass and vineyard markets. Collaborating with Cornell University and Washington State University, Pacific Kelp will analyse the impact of its kelp extracts on soil health, crop resilience, and yield enhancement. By testing the efficacy of kelp-based biofertilisers and biostimulants, this project could open new commercial pathways for Alaska’s mariculture industry, offering farmers an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional fertilisers.
Greenwave aims to use the funding to develop the scalable infrastructure required for the farming, harvesting, stabilisation, and testing of a bull kelp-based biostimulant to meet the needs of agricultural markets. Leveraging its strong partnerships, GreenWave aims to establish a reliable supply chain that ensures Alaskan kelp is a competitive alternative to imported seaweed-derived agricultural products.
The Chugach Regional Resources Commission will use its funding to conduct research and field testing on a liquid kelp biostimulant product to refine its formulation and validate its agricultural benefits. This project seeks to improve product consistency, develop a business plan, and explore market opportunities as a way of ensuring that Alaska’s kelp products can effectively compete in the growing biostimulant market.
It is hoped that, with the funding support of the AMC, these projects will play a crucial role in advancing the Cluster's vision of supporting the development of a $100 million mariculture industry within the next decade. Additionally, the projects will also contribute to wider agricultural sustainability efforts through the exploration of natural alternatives to synthetic fertilisers.
