UAS Acquired Research Barge for Fisheries Program
The mariculture laboratory barge completed a three-day tow from Ketchikan to Sitka.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Higher Education
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The University of Alaska Southeast has acquired a 120-foot mariculture laboratory barge to bolster its Applied Fisheries program in Sitka. The facility was previously operated by OceansAlaska in Ketchikan for over a decade.
Why it matters
The acquisition provides students with dedicated hands-on training in shellfish spawning and kelp nursery techniques. This initiative supports the broader goal of expanding mariculture capacity in the region.
The barge measures 120 feet by 40 feet and features a two-story structure on a concrete deck. It is currently moored at Eliason Harbor while awaiting final placement at the university dock.
The players
University of Alaska Southeast
The institution manages various campuses in Southeast Alaska and focuses on research and vocational education.
OceansAlaska
A long-standing nonprofit organization in Ketchikan that facilitates mariculture training and development.
Alaska Mariculture Cluster
A state-wide initiative focused on sustainable development of the shellfish and seaweed industry.
The details
Transported by the tug boat Ethan B, the barge arrived in Sitka to serve as a floating classroom for student researchers. The university also developed a specialized strut-system dock that adjusts for tidal changes without requiring traditional pilings.
Timeline
The barge departed Ketchikan at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
The barge arrived in Sitka at 5 a.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026.
The university plans to move the barge to the new campus dock in early October 2026.
Roadmap
This acquisition follows the infrastructure investment goals established by the 2022 federal Build Back Better grant funding. It represents a direct application of those resources toward expanding Alaska's regional mariculture capabilities.
Students in the Applied Fisheries program will gain immediate access to professional-grade equipment for shellfish and kelp research. In the future, the university intends to supply commercially cultivated oyster and kelp seed to local farmers.
The takeaway
Hands-on technical training is critical for students entering Alaska's growing aquaculture sector. This facility provides a practical environment for mastering commercial-scale nursery techniques.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Higher Education across Alaska.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Sitka Sentinel.
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