Aquatic Farm Leasing
General Information

The State of Alaska Aquatic Farm Program seeks to grow and diversify the state's economy, strengthen coastal communities, provide healthy food, and use sustainable methods to develop the mariculture industry in Alaska. The State of Alaska owns most of the tide and submerged lands along its coastline. Because these coastal areas are owned and managed by State of Alaska, anyone who wants to operate a commercial shellfish or aquatic plant farm must first obtain an aquatic farmsite lease with Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This lease grants permission to use state tidelands for aquaculture and ensures that aquatic farming is done safely, sustainably, and in the best interest of the public and the State.

An aquatic farmsite lease is a 10-year limited property right issued by DNR. It allows a lessee to develop state owned tide and submerged lands into a commercial shellfish or aquatic plant farm.

This statewide program is a multiagency system, managed by multiple state and federal agencies, and designed to ensure responsible development of state tide and submerged lands, environmental protection, and safe seafood production. These primary state agencies jointly manage the program and administer the authorizations required to site, develop, and operate an aquatic farm.

Department of Natural Resources (DNR)/Division of Mining, Land & Water (DMLW)

Authorizes and manages the commercial use of state tide and submerged lands for aquaculture.

• Reviews proposals (applications), makes preliminary decisions, provides public notice for review and comment period, and makes a best interest finding.
• Issues and manages aquatic farmsite leases for the development of state tide and submerged lands for shellfish and marine plant aquatic farms.
• Makes decisions to authorize leases after considering conflicts with traditional or existing uses of the land, including commercial and/or sport fishing, subsistence activities, safe boat anchorages, recreation, or tourism; how public access will be maintained; if the proposed aquatic farm gear or related farm operation facilities could pose hazards to navigation; or whether the proposal may impact cultural or historic sites.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)

Handles biological and operational authorizations, including:

• Aquatic farm operation permits
• Stock transport and acquisition
• Seed source approval
• Special area permits
• Wild stock harvest permits

For more information, consult . ADF&G's Division of Commercial Fisheries, Aquatic Farming page.

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

Ensures sanitary control of regulated food, seafood, and public facilities to protect public health and water quality through:

• Water quality classification
• Shellfish harvester, processor, and shipper permits
• Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) testing
• Export certifications
• Dive boat authorizations for shellfish harvest

For more information, consult the following DEC pages:

• DEC Active Shellfish Shipper Permits
• DEC Shellfish
• DEC Permits
• DEC Growing Area Classification
• DEC Forms

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

Additionally, USACE authorizes the placement of aquatic farm structures to prevent unauthorized infrastructure or alteration of navigable water in the United States. USACE permits are required for any structure to be used at the proposed farm site in navigable waters.

For more information, consult the following USACE pages:

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Alaska District (USACE)
• USACE Permit Application
• USACE Regulatory Mission

Additional Authorizations

Depending on the site and species, other state, federal, or municipal permits may be required, including but not limited to from:

• The United States Forest Service
• The United States Fish and Wildlife Service
• The National Marine Fisheries Service