Angela Bowers
Department Applied Fisheries, University of Alaska Southeast, 1332 Seward Avenue, Sitka, AK. 99835, USA
Harvesting salmon and other food from the ocean is an integral part of the culture and
economy in the State of Alaska. A large contributor to the state’s commercial salmon harvest is its Private Non-Profit (PNP) salmon hatcheries. This program started in response to historically low salmon abundance in the early 1970s and now contributes nearly 1/3 of commercially caught
salmon, with 30 hatcheries releasing 1.7 billion salmon each year. These fish are reared each spring in ocean net-pens for a few months before their release, providing the space, nutrients, and infrastructure to integrate lower trophic level species such as seaweed. For the last three winters students and faculty from the University of Alaska Southeast have outplanted Sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) and Ribbon kelp (Alaria marginata) near rearing chum (Oncorhynchus keta) and pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) salmon in order to help determine the feasibility and measurable benefits of this form of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). Kelp growth, nitrite, nitrate, ammonia and dissolved phosphorous as well as dissolved oxygen and salinity are measured bi-weekly. As part of this work students not only learn about kelp ecology and sustainable aquaculture but they also gain skills using oceanographic equipment, operate small vessels and work closely with industry professionals. Future work will support aquaculture workforce development, increase the sustainability of salmon enhancement aquaculture in Alaska, improve food security and provide industry with a proof of concept important for demonstrating the potential economic and environmental benefits for IMTA in Alaska.