Alaska Department of Fish and Game FAQs: Oysters can grow very well in cold water if there is abundant, high-quality plankton. Many estuaries in Alaska produce so much high-quality plankton during certain times of the year that Alaska shellfish can match growth achieved by shellfish raised in warmer waters of the Pacific Northwest. Cold, clean water also reduces bacterial contamination, extending shelf life and assuring safety when eating cultured oysters, especially when consumed raw.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game describes steps to getting started as an aquatic farmer.

This how-to publication is for new and experienced farmers. It covers oyster biology, recommended culture techniques, business planning assistance, and guidance for permits and leases. Farmers will also learn about best management practices for cooperatives, site selection, designing site structures, health concerns, processing and marketing, and shipping.

The information in the manual is based on surveys of all active growers in Alaska, particularly about successful husbandry methods. Primary authors are Ray RaLonde, University of Alaska Fairbanks professor and aquaculture specialist; Rodger Painter, shellfish grower and aquaculture researcher/consultant; and Glenn Haight, Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.

Select intertidal sites for geoduck farming based on known factors successful for geoduck farming. Stock geoduck clams at each site based on practices developed in Washington and B.C. Determine survivability of farmed geoduck clams. Measure the growth of farmed geoduck clams. Monitor each site for temperature (air and water), integrity of the site, causes of mortality, and environmental changes caused by farming.

Presentation on harmful algal blooms, sources of paralytic shellfish poisoning, Alaska PSP outbreaks, PSP toxin chemistry, testing for PSP, “red tide,” PSP geographic patterns, PSP in geoducks, and shellfish personal harvest risk.

Environmental effects on growth and reproduction of the California red sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus).

Presentation includes clam markets, clam aquaculture process, site selection, production plan, Tenass Pass and Canoe Lagoon sites, harvests, using predator netting, seeding, and maintaining the farm. 

This journal provides a single location to record environmental, operational, production, and descriptive data about a shellfish farm. It can be printed on waterproof paper to allow recording in the field. 

The Southeast Alaska  geoduck clam fishery has expanded greatly since opening in 1983.  Authors recommend  research on geoduck health and impacts on the geoduck clam population, development of a state-operated hatchery and nursery, more accessible paralytic shellfish poisoning testing, an enhancement program for wild geoducks, adjustment of guideline harvest limits to reflect  needs of  geoduck populations, a new survey and harvest schedule, programs to encourage intertidal farming of geoducks, and research to determine efficacy of management methods in achieving sustainability in the  geoduck clam fishery. 

Shellfish farming in Alaska has grown to a value of about $1 million since 1990. Growers cite seed availability, slow growth rates, labor costs, outdated technology, shipping costs, and harmful algal bloom closures as limiting profitability. There is a huge potential for growth and improvement, with Alaska's vast growing areas and the excellent reputation of Alaska seafood.

For harvesters and dealers, this presentation explains the requirements for permits, vessel and equipment, sanitation, tagging and labeling, temperature control, approved growing area, toxin testing plan, facility conditions, HACCP plans, and shipping.

The goals of the Molluscan Broodstock Program were to improve Pacific and Kumamoto oyster broodstock through selection in order to enhance commercial yields and other desirable traits; establish a broodstock management program for industry for sustainable, long-term improvements in commercial production; and maintain a repository for selected top-performing oyster families.

Presentation explains the importance of measuring temperature for oyster growth, and shows the temperature profile of an estuary, seasonal temperature variation, oyster growout time, and temperature recording instruments. Also addressed are monitoring salinity, salinity recording instruments, measuring water clarity, weather stations, PSP conditions, and measuring plankton.  

Business management encompasses management of the entire business operation and includes production/operations, marketing, and financial management. Financial management is the act of tracking sources and uses of funds, net worth status, and cash flow position. Presentation.

Presentation describes a two year study comparing flip-flop bag oyster culture and floating bag longline culture in Southeast Alaska. The flip-flop bags grew excellent quality oysters at a cost savings.

2011 Alaska Shellfish Festival in Ketchikan.

A shellfish condition index is mathematically derived by including more than one measurement on a shellfish. The index is used as a measure for comparison between two different shellfish or groups of shellfish to some standard.

Presentation shows seeding geoduck spat in suspended trays had better results than wading pools, and a finely sifted substrate may be more desirable.

Presentation describes hot dipping at 130 F to control biofouling at oyster farms. 

Presentation describes the biology of organisms that can foul shellfish aquaculture gear—seaweeds, tunicates, sponges, barnacles, and blue mussels—and how to prevent their growth and clean them out. 

Weathervane, bay, and purple hinge rock scallops are native to Alaska. These slides discuss aquaculture research, collecting seed, sorting, growing out, PSP, product characteristics, attached vs unattached, and density. Purple hinge rock scallop produces large meat.

In May 2009,  a commercial dive vessel harvested geoduck clams at a farm site at Coho Cove, south of Ketchikan. See photos of the clams harvested from Coho Cove and South Sykes farm sites.

Goals: map entire shoreline of Alaska, classify and inventory geological and biological attributes, make imagery and data publicly available.

The Lentz system is a growout system currently being use in Washington state. The system is undergoing a trial study in Alaska. The intent of the Lentz system is to grow a superior quality oyster while utilizing less labor that will enable significant operation cost reduction. This presentation describes a large trial growout study on the Oysters LLC farm owned by Jerry Ryggs near Naukati, Alaska, on the east coast of Prince of Wales Island.

Tumbling and sorting at the oyster farm results in better growth and better product, culls small oysters, controls biofouling, and is faster than hand sorting.

The joint-agency application package has two parts: Part 1 (this section) and Part II, Instructions and Application. Part I provides you with information about the application process, requirements, and guidance for aquatic farm site development and explains how to obtain the authorizations required to site, develop, and operate your aquatic farm. Part II of the package contains the application and instructions. The joint-agency consolidated application helps minimize the paperwork needed to obtain authorizations for an aquatic farm.

Part II of the aquatic farm program contains the joint agency application for an aquatic farm. The aquatic farm application opening is every year from January 1 through April 30.