ASMI is a  partnership between the State of Alaska and the Alaska seafood industry that fosters economic development of a renewable natural resource. ASMI is playing a key role in the repositioning of Alaska’s seafood industry as a competitive market-driven food production industry. 

The shellfish industry in Alaska has shown inconsistent growth over the past two decades and remains a niche industry of small farms under five acres. Sales grew by 37% in 2013, but the total value of the industry was $769,145.

A report on  Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation work based on a NOAA grant to spearhead the Alaska Mariculture Initiative to: (1) expand the mariculture stakeholder base, create partnerships, and increase capacity to be effective; and (2) develop a  strategic plan including implementation.

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.

This research examined the importance of different attributes of Alaska oyster product in the marketplace. Seafood businesses handling oyster products were surveyed to determine the relative importance of attributes such as oyster size, seasonality, and vendor integrity. The research also analyzed whether any of the survey findings had important implications for the future development of cooperatives by oyster producers.