We were fortunate to have two major industry conferences in Ketchikan this month! The first was Seagriculture USA, the leading conference for the American kelp and seaweed industry.
We had a great time connecting with farmers, processors, scientists, investors, regulators, and government officials. One key takeaway we heard repeatedly is that Alaskan farmers can grow more kelp, but they are choosing not to because they can't sell all of their product.
That’s why we're so focused on bringing our kelp processing line to Ketchikan. With the right equipment (more on that below), we will be able to efficiently dehydrate kelp and convert it into a product format already used by some of the biggest global brands—plus, it offers the added benefit of shelf stability at room temperature!
This will be the key to unlocking opportunities for Alaskan kelp farmers, enabling them to move more of their product to market. Customers and brands have significant demand for high-quality kelp, but unless it is in dehydrated form, they can’t incorporate it into their product formulations. We’re confident this will be a huge boost for the industry once we’re operational and able to process kelp for other farmers, not just around Ketchikan but throughout Southeastern Alaska.
After Seagriculture, we attended the Southeastern Conference (SEC) annual meeting in town. Not to be confused with the football conference, the SEC is the federally recognized regional economic development organization for Southeastern Alaska. The SEC ‘supports activities that promote strong economies, healthy communities, and a quality environment in Southeast Alaska.’ While not exclusively focused on kelp, the SEC is increasingly recognizing its potential, as kelp farming and processing could significantly bolster both the economy and the environment in Southeast Alaska.
Our founder, Nick Stern, was invited to present as part of a panel discussing the state of the mariculture industry in Alaska. Nick shared his views on where the industry stands today and what needs to be done to advance it. There was great discussion about how the SEC and its stakeholders can support this growing sector. His remarks were met with enthusiasm and optimism. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the SEC as we work to grow this industry!
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