The Department of Fish and Game hopes that the mariculture industry continues to expand to help increase revenue in depressed coastal communities. Any applicant can apply for this program in which they goes through a multi-agency application and review process that can take between four months and one year to complete, depending on the proposed area. It is said that mariculture is usually a part-time job for many shellfish farmers. Due to the distances from communities, site development is required for most places to provide small living facilities where they have a small kitchen and enough beds for the staff. It is informed that the cost of development for the facilities and gear can be pretty expensive up front and requires a serious, long-term investment in the farm. According to the Department of Fish and Game mariculture farms will grow and become a major industry in Alaska. Mariculture in Alaska has the production value at approximately $493,458 in 2007, the mariculture farming industry is still relatively small. Aquatic farming has grown in Southeast Alaska and along the coastal region of South Central Alaska. The natural environment of these regions is perfect for shellfish farming since they have waters protected by small inlets, and the water is almost the perfect temperature for growing shellfish.
