Petersburg Pilot -

The first thing to know about the mariculture industry in Alaska is how much money and effort are going into making it a major economic driver for years to come.

The second thing is that, aside from oysters, it isn’t profitable — yet. That’s kind of the point.

A collective $110 million in public investment for mariculture in Alaska is flowing into the state, a federal Build Back Better wager based on the core assets of the region, predictions about future demand — particularly for kelp — and the general need for more sustainable food sources.

Mariculture consists of aquatic plants, shellfish a...