Alaska Seaweed Source Inventory

These data are part of NOAA fisheries efforts to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in Alaska state waters. These data depict seaweed beds mapped during 2024-2025 in relation to draft AOA options within study areas and are provided in ESRI shapefile format. This seaweed source inventory contributes to environmental characterization as part of the AOA identification process, and may additionally support farmers and state agency officials when siting new seaweed farms in Alaska state waters. This shapefile was created through a participatory mapping process. During this process, stakeholders - including seaweed farmers, hatchery operators, and harvesters - delineated known seaweed beds using SeaSketch, a web-based GIS platform that provided base layers of shoreline maps and satellite imagery. Participants used the tool to draw polygons marking the location and species composition of beds. The SeaSketch polygons were exported to ArcGIS to create a usable data layer.

NOAA has directives to preserve ocean sustainability and facilitate domestic aquaculture in the U.S. through the National Aquaculture Act of 1980, the NOAA Marine Aquaculture Policy, and Executive Order 13921, "Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth." Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs), as directed in EO 13921, is an opportunity for proactive stewardship with science-based guidance on sustainable aquaculture management. Aquaculture in AOAs will support environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

In June 2023, NOAA and the State of Alaska embarked on a mission to identify AOAs in Alaska state waters, focusing on sustainable invertebrates like shellfish and sea cucumbers, along with nutrient-rich seaweed aquaculture. With Alaska's coastline stretching longer than the entire lower 48 states combined, the potential for aquaculture is enormous.

Planning and siting for marine aquaculture operations requires thorough synthesis and spatial analyses of critical environmental data and ocean space-use conflicts. This dataset will aid with the environmental characterization of AOA options in Alaska state waters and is intended to assist current and prospective aquaculture farmers in meeting the requirements of the genetic guidelines for permitting, known as the "50-50 Rule". Developed and implemented by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) as a guidance for farmers to help maintain and preserve genetic diversity, these guidelines recommend that broodstock spores from at least 50 wild kelp plants be collected no more than 50 km from a farm site every year. As a result, the locations of wild kelp beds directly influence the suitability of areas for commercial seaweed farm siting.

NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data.

The extent of these data are within Alaska AOA study areas, which include Southeast (Juneau, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, Craig, and Ketchikan), Southcentral (Seward, Valdez, and Cordova), and Southwest (Kodiak).

These data are accessible via REST web map services for visualization within the NOAA Geoplatform via ArcGIS Online.

NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data.

These data were gathered through a participatory mapping effort. Not all seaweed beds are captured.