Photo by Level Island Kelp
We are actively looking for ways to support current or interested seaweed farmers throughout the state and are working to be a driving force in building localized processing infrastructure.
OUR MISSION
Mothers of Millions (MoM), the first mobile seaweed hatchery in Alaska, was born out of the need to increase access to seeded string for kelp farmers throughout rural communities in the state. We founded MoM as lifelong Alaskans firmly grounded in the commercial fishing industry. That dependence on the ocean for our livelihood first triggered our interest in seaweed farming. We both wanted to invest our time and resources into the long-term health of the oceans. So, we began our journey into kelp farming in the spring of 2020. While going through the aquatic farm permitting process and learning more about the existing infrastructure in the state, two gaps in the mariculture industry became clear: limited access to seed string and a lack of markets and processing facilities. In the spring of 2021 there were only three licensed hatcheries in the state of Alaska to provide kelp seed to commercial farmers, which created a bottleneck for those looking to scale up operations and new farmers looking to get started in the industry. That same year, we received our hatchery permit and Mothers of Millions was founded.
We built a kelp hatchery out of a repurposed conex installed on the back deck of a salmon tender and grew just under 10,000 feet of two species of kelp seed for a new Alaskan farmer in our first season. We see seaweed not just as an untapped food source or potential raw material, but as an investment in our oceans and communities, particularly those impacted by Alaska's seasonal economy and greatly affected by changing weather patterns.
Mothers of Millions was founded to expand opportunities for involvement in the seaweed industry for Alaska's rural and coastal communities and is devoted to furthering seaweed hatchery, farming, and processing techniques within the state.
SEWARD COMMUNITY KELP FARM PROJECT
"SEA" WHAT "WEED" DO FOR YOU!
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Permitting assistance
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Subsidized seed string for outplanting
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Transportation to and from the farmsite
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Maintenance checks and growth evaluations
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Sorus tissue collection for the hatchery stage
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Harvest assistance to get kelp biomass back to Seward
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On-vessel lodging assistance for farmers coming from beyond Seward
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Farm site set up and removal at the beginning and end of the growing season
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Mothers of Millions will be hosting a community seaweed farm on our commercial kelp farm site located in Pony Cove, at the southern end of Resurrection Bay. We aim to provide interested kelp farmers with a space to lease grow-out lines to commercially farm kelp. Our goals for this project are to provide a platform to incorporate community members in the mariculture industry and provide a direct path to involvement for any interested farmers. Interested in giving kelp farming a try? Join our Seward Community Kelp Farm Project! End the year with your own harvestable kelp biomass or donate your kelp to aid the industry in product development.
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Hatchery Operations
2021
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Awarded a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the Department of Agriculture to build a mobile facility
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Converted a seasonal fishing vessel that typically goes unused in the fall/winter into a winter business
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Established a collaborative partnership with Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
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Grew over 8,000 feet of seed string for a new farmer
2022
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Collaborated with Prince William Sound College to provide an internship opportunity to a local student
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Provided a hatchery facility to the community of Valdez
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Established automated improvements to lower hatchery labor costs
2023
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Planning to convert the hatchery to a 12-volt system, powered entirely by solar panels to optimize the climate-focused services that open-ocean kelp farming already provides to Alaskan coastal communities.
Briana Murphy grew up fishing with her family in Prince William Sound and has worked in a variety of fisheries throughout Alaska. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College in Comparative Literature and French Studies, which she credits with endowing her with a multidisciplinary approach that helps her bring a new perspective to complex problems. As the hatchery’s project manager, Murphy oversees the hatchery's daily operations, including tank changes, monitoring pH and salinity levels of seawater, and mixing fertilizer solutions to aid with growth. Connecting with local fishermen and residents in some of Alaska’s most rural communities has impacted her goals to help Alaska attain more sustainable business practices, particularly ones that can be integrated more harmoniously into the State’s unique geography than contemporary business models
Kristen
Kristen grew up in Valdez, and started seining in Prince William Sound in 2008; she now owns seven boats, ranging from 50 to 120 feet. Smith has a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering from Oregon State and a Master’s of Science in Physics from Boise State University. Smith has worked extensively up and down the west coast, with a focus on innovative techniques and vessel modifications. As a captain, Smith has overseen and led numerous overhauls on her vessels, both mechanical and structural in nature. Smith designed and managed the construction of the hatchery to minimize material inputs, and labor and energy costs.
OUR TEAM
We are proud to be a women-led and owned buisness. We are also proud to be part of the Seward community. Always feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions!
Briana Murphy
Briana Murphy grew up fishing with her family in Prince William Sound and has worked in a variety of fisheries throughout Alaska. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College in Comparative Literature and French Studies, which she credits with endowing her with a multidisciplinary approach that helps her bring a new perspective to complex problems. As the hatchery’s project manager, Murphy oversees the hatchery's daily operations, including tank changes, monitoring pH and salinity levels of seawater, and mixing fertilizer solutions to aid with growth. Connecting with local fishermen and residents in some of Alaska’s most rural communities has impacted her goals to help Alaska attain more sustainable business practices, particularly ones that can be integrated more harmoniously into the State’s unique geography than contemporary business models
Intern Emeritus
Cove joined the MoM team during our first growing season;
her primary role is in boosting morale!
Briana Murphy grew up fishing with her family in Prince William Sound and has worked in a variety of fisheries throughout Alaska. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College in Comparative Literature and French Studies, which she credits with endowing her with a multidisciplinary approach that helps her bring a new perspective to complex problems. As the hatchery’s project manager, Murphy oversees the hatchery's daily operations, including tank changes, monitoring pH and salinity levels of seawater, and mixing fertilizer solutions to aid with growth. Connecting with local fishermen and residents in some of Alaska’s most rural communities has impacted her goals to help Alaska attain more sustainable business practices, particularly ones that can be integrated more harmoniously into the State’s unique geography than contemporary business models
Kristen
Kristen grew up in Valdez, and started seining in Prince William Sound in 2008; she now owns seven boats, ranging from 50 to 120 feet. Smith has a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering from Oregon State and a Master’s of Science in Physics from Boise State University. Smith has worked extensively up and down the west coast, with a focus on innovative techniques and vessel modifications. As a captain, Smith has overseen and led numerous overhauls on her vessels, both mechanical and structural in nature. Smith designed and managed the construction of the hatchery to minimize material inputs, and labor and energy costs.