University of Alaska Fairbanks

The University of Alaska Fairbanks will lead a MARINER Category 1 project to design and develop replicable model farms capable of cost-effective production of sugar kelp, a type of macroalgae suitable for large-scale cultivation is U.S. ocean waters. Much of the cost of kelp farms is related to expensive anchor components, and the laborious process of installing and planting individual longlines between opposing anchors. Another 20% of the cost is ascribed to the harvest process and transport. The team plans innovations to reduce both equipment and operating costs. First, the team will implement a two-point mooring system, anchoring the longline superstructure to only two opposite anchors. Two-point moorings will reduce project costs, and they will allow the superstructure to be more easily lowered to avoid damaging storms or to take advantage of cooler water temperatures or additional nutrients available at lower depths. The reduced complexity of their proposed design also allows the deployment of an entire 1 hectare farm in less than a day. The team seeks to integrate the entire farming process, including seed production, outplanting, grow-out, harvest, and re-seeding. A particular emphasis will be on the development of cost-effective harvesting methods based on technologies applied in the commercial fishing industry. Test deployments for the integrated system are planned for locations in Alaska and New England. Additionally, team members working in Alaska will investigate the potential for “ultra” long-line systems of greater than 1 km in length. These systems may be exceptionally well suited for deployment in the protected waters of the expansive Alaska coastline.

If successful, MARINER projects strive to develop the tools needed to allow the United States to become a world leader in marine biomass production for multiple important applications, including the production of biofuels.