Mariculture Research and Restoration Consortium, Kelp Farming Method Development; line spacing and biomass yield, East Kodiak Island, years 2022, 2023

These data are part of the Mariculture Research and Restoration Consortium (Mariculture ReCon) Component of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council. Gulf Watch Alaska is the long-term ecosystem monitoring program of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council for the marine ecosystem affected by the 1989 oil spill. This study presents approaches to optimizing kelp farming practices, encompassing three primary objectives aimed at increasing yields and understanding environmental adaptability of kelp species, Alaria marginata (ribbon kelp) and Saccharina latissima (sugar kelp). Objective 3C.1 explores the optimization of line spacing methods (1, 2, 3, 4, 6 foot spacing) for A. marginata to mitigate yields in production that might be attributed to competition for light and nutrients. All fieldwork for 3C.1 was conducted in the Spring of 2022 and 2023. Objectives 3C.2 and 3C.3 will be conducted in the coming years (2024-2026). In Objective 3C.2, the impact of early-season blade trimming on kelp yield will be investigated. It is hypothesized that trimming enhances the wet-weight biomass harvestable per unit area. In Objective 3C.3, we will investigate the temperature and salinity tolerance of juvenile kelp derived from various geographic ecotypes. By cultivating and cross-fertilizing gametophyte strains, and assessing the tolerance thresholds of resulting sporophyte clones, the study provides insights into the adaptability of kelp to different environmental conditions. Collectively, these objectives integrate to form a strategic approach to improve kelp farming efficiency, contributing valuable data and methodologies to the field of aquaculture.