I had the
amazing opportunity to complete a 12-week NOAA Experimental Research and
Training Opportunity (NERTO) Internship at the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science
Center in Juneau, Alaska. Specifically, I worked with the Auke Bay Laboratories
– Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute. Under the mentorship of Dr. Jordan
Hollarsmith, I worked with the mariculture research team to further understand
and develop techniques for oyster mariculture sustainability. It was insightful
to learn that these oysters are bred in Hawaii and then brought to Alaska – a
state without native populations – to grow. This reshaped my understanding of
how aquaculture can be strategically implemented in regions where these species
don’t naturally occur. Therefore, I focused on strategies to advance trial production
of Pacific oysters in Alaska through field testing, hatchery research, and
farmer collaboration. With the goal to successfully conduct spawning events
during the cold summer spawning season, we adapted standard hatchery protocols
to Alaska’s colder environmental conditions. During a visit to Salty Lady
Seafood Company, I gained insight into how farm operations in Alaska compare to
those in Texas. I never anticipated how different oyster farming in Alaska
would be compared to my experiences in Texas.
By observing environmental conditions where oysters grow, witnessing
distinct biofouling organisms and equipment used, I broadened my understanding
on regional mariculture practices. During my visit to the NOAA field research
station in Baranoff Island, I further strengthened my scientific understanding
of Alaska mariculture. As a team, we deployed cages of juvenile seed oysters
and collected samples of older oyster stocks to gather data on growth and
development.
TSMRI hatchery where attempts of oyster spawning and observations of gonad samples was conducted.
NOAA Little Port Walter Research Field Station where deployment of oyster seed and collections of broodstock oysters was conducted.
The
connection between my NERTO and thesis research allows me to further develop skills
and knowledge on oyster mariculture in extreme environmental conditions. As
Alaska lacks commercial oyster hatcheries, all oyster seed must be imported and
previous attempts at local spawning has failed. My work is the first to
successful seeding of Alaskan oysters. I
also conducted a pilot study evaluating gonadal development and spawning
success of broodstock oysters from nine southcentral mariculture farms to
generate baseline data for future hatchery efforts. I
gained valuable hands-on experience in broodstock conditioning, spawning
techniques, and larval culture under cold-water conditions. This opportunity
expanded my technical skills in hatchery operations, reproductive monitoring,
and environmental data collection. It also deepened my understanding of how
regional factors influence shellfish development, growth, and survival. Through
collaboration with NOAA scientists and local farmers, I strengthened my skills
in communications, data management, problem-solving and overall professional
development.
Photo of the TSMRI mariculture team (Left to Right): Sofia Fox, Spencer Lunda, Rebecca Cates, Krystal Renta, Coral Tolman, Kate Gomez-Rangel, Jordan Hollarsmith.
Funding for this internship was provided through the NOAA CCME-II and the NOAA
Educational Partnership Program, Cooperative
Agreement Award #NA21SEC4810004. The contents of this post are solely the
responsibility of the award recipient and do not necessarily represent the
official views of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA (National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration).
