Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation

What Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation does

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, Inc. (AFDF) is a private nonprofit foundation incorporated in Alaska and headquartered in Juneau, established in 1978 to support the Alaska seafood industry. The foundation operates a portfolio of programs rather than a single product, including the SeaThrive sustainability certification program (through which AFDF acts as the unified Fishery Client for Marine Stewardship Council and Certified Seafood International certifications of Alaska salmon, Pacific cod, Pacific halibut, and sablefish); the Alaska Symphony of Seafood annual product competition; the TIDE Startup Accelerator (formed from the 2023 merger with Alaska Ocean Cluster); the Joint Innovation Projects (JIP) applied research funding program targeting Alaska's emerging mariculture industry; the Alaska Mariculture Initiative targeting a $100 million industry over 20 years; plus Maritime Works workforce development and Vessel Energy Solutions programs.

AFDF is governed by a board of approximately 11 directors representing major Alaska seafood processors (Trident Seafoods, Silver Bay Seafoods, American Seafoods, North Pacific Seafoods), harvesters, and the mariculture sector. The organization runs on a small staff of approximately five (CEO, Finance Director, Mariculture Development Program Manager, Marketing and Communications Manager, and an Alaska Sea Grant State Fellow), supplemented by an Alaska Sea Grant fellow and partnership-driven program execution.

AFDF's revenue model blends three streams: annual membership fees from industry participants, federal grants (EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge subaward, NOAA, and congressional appropriations), and certification cost recovery collected pro rata from primary processors based on sector catch volumes. JIP funding flows outbound to grantees rather than being charged. Major funding infusions in FY24 include a $4 million Senate appropriation for king crab enhancement and $3.9 million in NOAA funds for the climate resilience accelerator, alongside JIP Round III awards of $377,775 in 2026. The foundation does not publicly disclose total revenue or financials.

Name

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation

Legal name

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://afdf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation is a 1978-founded Juneau nonprofit that serves as the unified Fishery Client for MSC and CSI sustainability certifications of Alaska seafood species and administers federal grant programs, applied R&D funding, and industry programs supporting harvesters, processors, and mariculture farmers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Seafood Industry Support Services

NAICS

Aquaculture (11251), Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511)

akta.pro primary industry

Seafood & Aquaculture Certification Services (MSC/ASC/BAP) (AFALAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Offshore & Open-Ocean Aquaculture (AFAEAAAH), Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI)

Keywords

• Sustainability certification services
• Mariculture research funding
• Seafood industry development
• Fishery client management
• Workforce maritime training

Headquarters

HQ city

Wrangell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: AFDF operates a membership program where industry participants pay membership fees to support the foundation's work and gain access to certification programs and industry initiatives.
2. Grants and Federal Funding: AFDF receives grants from federal agencies including EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge, NOAA, and congressional appropriations for specific projects like king crab enhancement and mariculture development.
3. Certification Cost Recovery: AFDF collects pro rata shares from participating primary processors for sustainability certification costs, distributed based on catch by sector.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AFDF is a nonprofit industry foundation that serves as the unified Fishery Client for MSC and CSI sustainability certifications of Alaska's major commercial fisheries (salmon, Pacific cod, halibut, sablefish) and operates programs that fund applied mariculture research, support seafood and maritime startups, and run industry competitions. Certification cost recovery, industry membership fees, federal grants, and event sponsorships fund its operations.

Product overview

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) is a non-profit organization supporting the Alaskan Seafood Industry since 1978. AFDF operates as a portfolio of programs and initiatives rather than a single unified product. The core offerings include: SeaThrive (sustainability certification services including MSC and CSI certifications for Pacific Cod, Alaska Salmon, Pacific Halibut, and Sablefish); Alaska Symphony of Seafood (a product competition for Alaska seafood products); TIDE Startup Accelerator (supporting ocean-related startups); Joint Innovation Projects (applied research and product development for Alaska's mariculture industry); and supporting services including Research Library, Maritime Works, and Vessel Energy Solutions. AFDF also manages the Alaska Mariculture Initiative aimed at growing a $100 million mariculture industry in 20 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SeaThrive: AFDF's sustainability certification program for Alaska seafood, handling MSC and CSI certifications for Pacific cod, Alaska salmon, Pacific halibut, and sablefish.
• TIDE
• Alaska Symphony of Seafood
• AFDF Startup Accelerator

Products and services

• Alaska Symphony of Seafood Competition Annual product competition that recognizes the best products made with Alaska Seafood, serving as a platform to showcase and promote innovative Alaska seafood products to industry buyers and judges.
• SeaThrive Sustainability Certification Program (MSC and CSI) AFDF's sustainability certification program that verifies Alaska seafood is managed responsibly and sustainably. AFDF serves as the unified Fishery Client for both Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Certified Seafood International (CSI) certifications across Pacific cod, Alaska salmon, Pacific halibut, and sablefish fisheries, with primary processors paying pro rata shares of certification costs.
• MSC Pacific Cod Certification (SeaThrive) Marine Stewardship Council sustainability certification for Pacific cod fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA), with AFDF as the Fishery Client. Original certification achieved January 27, 2010; current certificate valid until August 31, 2026, with recertification underway in 2026.
• MSC Alaska Salmon Certification (SeaThrive) Marine Stewardship Council sustainability certification for the Alaska salmon fishery, with AFDF as the Fishery Client under a client group mechanism where primary processors pay a fair share of certification cost in proportion to pounds of salmon purchased. Originally certified in 2000, recertified in November 2024 with validity through November 10, 2029.
• CSI Pacific Cod Certification (SeaThrive) Certified Seafood International (CSI) third-party certification of Pacific cod fisheries in Alaska, providing additional assurance to buyers, markets, and stakeholders under the SeaThrive program. AFDF is the Client for CSI certification.
• CSI Pacific Halibut Certification (SeaThrive) Certified Seafood International third-party certification for Pacific Halibut fisheries in Alaska under the SeaThrive program.
• CSI Sablefish Certification (SeaThrive) Certified Seafood International third-party certification for Sablefish fisheries in Alaska under the SeaThrive program.
• CSI Alaska Salmon Certification (SeaThrive) Certified Seafood International third-party certification for Alaska Salmon fisheries under the SeaThrive program.
• Joint Innovation Projects (JIP) Program Competitive RFP-based applied research and product development funding program that strengthens Alaska's emerging mariculture industry through strategic private sector partnerships. Addresses technical, operational, and market barriers across seaweed farming, oyster cultivation, mooring systems, processing, and site suitability.
• TIDE Startup Accelerator (Transforming Innovation, Defining Excellence) Startup accelerator program partnering with startups to support thriving oceans and the seafood industry. Formed in 2023 from the merger of the Alaska Ocean Cluster with AFDF and received $3.9 million in NOAA funding for ocean-based climate resilience.
• AFDF Industry Membership Program Annual membership program for Alaska seafood industry participants that enables members to help guide future projects and set priorities for AFDF's work, including access to certification programs and industry initiatives.
• AFDF Research Library Collection of research pertaining to the Alaska seafood industry covering topics such as bycatch reduction, full utilization, vessel energy solutions, mariculture, seafood sustainability, surimi, workforce development, quality improvements, and social responsibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• 29 Joint Innovation Projects awarded addressing mariculture industry barriers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023The Joint Innovation Projects (JIP) Program is part of the Alaska Mariculture Cluster Research & Development grant component, administered by AFDF as a subaward recipient. The AMC is funded by the EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant led by Southeast Conference. AFDF manages the JIP program which distributes funding to applied research and product development projects.
• Sea Quester FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSea Quester Farms is the lead entity for JIP Project #1 evaluating infrastructure and seeding methods for scalable bull kelp cultivation near Juneau, AK. Project funding of $98,957.55 from August 2023 through January 2025.
• Marine BiologicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine Biologics supported the Seaweed Tissue Analysis initiative by leading analysis, standardization, and interpretation of the dataset. Also provides technical support to Noble Ocean Farms for JIP Project #9 on kelp processing for cosmetic and nutraceutical products.
• Barnacle FoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarnacle Foods received JIP funding for data-driven messaging analysis for mariculture growth (Project #1 of JIP Cohort III) and has shared lessons learned about bull kelp farming in Alaska.
• Pacific HybreedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPacific Hybreed is leading JIP Project #3 to establish an Alaska Broodstock program for Pacific Oysters, collaborating with NOAA Fisheries. Multiple projects including Projects #23 and #24 on improved oyster seed development.
• Noble Ocean FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNoble Ocean Farms in Cordova, AK is leading JIP Project #9 on novel processing of five kelp species for cosmetic and nutraceutical products, with technical support from Marine Biologics.
• Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFDF serves as the Fishery Client for MSC certification of Alaska salmon (certified since 2000, recertified through 2029), Pacific cod, and other fisheries. MSC provides third-party sustainability certification.
• Certified Seafood International (CSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFDF serves as the Client for CSI certification of Pacific cod, Alaska salmon, Pacific halibut, and sablefish fisheries. CSI (formerly RFM) provides independent third-party certification of Alaska fisheries.
• Southeast ConferencecoreOthersSoutheast Conference leads the EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant; AFDF is a subaward recipient managing the Joint Innovation Projects component of the Alaska Mariculture Cluster.
• Alaska Sea GrantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlaska Sea Grant funds fellowships placed at AFDF; currently hosting an Alaska Sea Grant State Fellow (Sydney Almgren) supporting the SeaThrive sustainability certification program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alaska Mariculture Alliance: Statewide mariculture advocacy organization in Alaska with overlapping board members and similar mission around growing Alaska's mariculture industry. Directly comparable as a peer Alaska-based mariculture development organization, with AFDF's Mark Scheer serving as Treasurer of the Alliance.
• Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI): State-funded marketing body for Alaska seafood that performs a parallel industry-promotion role to AFDF, including product innovation events and international market development. Highly comparable as a sister Alaska seafood institution that complements AFDF's certification and R&D mandate with branding and demand-generation activities.
• Pacific Seafood Processors Association (PSPA): Alaska seafood processor trade association that previously held the MSC Alaska salmon Clientship before transferring it to AFDF in October 2019. Closely comparable as a former peer in the Alaska salmon certification coordination role, representing the same processor constituency now represented on AFDF's board.
• Certified Seafood International (CSI): Alternative third-party seafood certification program (formerly RFM) for which AFDF serves as the Client for Pacific cod, salmon, halibut, and sablefish. Comparable as a peer certification framework and current partner, providing CSI certifications in parallel to MSC for Alaska fisheries.
• Sustainable Fisheries Partnership: Global nonprofit that works directly with fisheries, processors, and supply-chain companies on sustainability improvement projects. Comparable as a peer sustainability nonprofit that engages the same harvester/processor constituency as AFDF but operates globally rather than Alaska-only.
• Seafood Products Association: US seafood industry trade association focused on quality assurance, regulatory, and sustainability standards, with board representation overlapping AFDF's North Pacific Seafoods Quality Assurance Manager. Comparable as a peer industry-support organization with quality and sustainability remits that overlap AFDF's certification and social responsibility programs.

Others

• Ocean Conservancy: Large marine conservation nonprofit working on fisheries, plastic pollution, and ocean policy. Adjacent rather than directly competitive; relevant for partnership and co-advocacy on Alaska fisheries sustainability themes, but operates from a conservation rather than industry-coordination standpoint.

Broad incumbents

• NOAA Fisheries: Federal agency responsible for US fisheries management, marine resource science, and aquaculture policy, and a major AFDF funding partner and JIP collaborator. Comparable as the upstream federal authority that AFDF interfaces with on regulatory, certification, and grant matters, providing the policy backdrop for AFDF's mandate.
• Marine Stewardship Council (MSC): Global third-party seafood sustainability certification body that issues the MSC certificates AFDF manages as the Fishery Client. Comparable as the upstream standard-setter whose certification framework is the basis for AFDF's core coordinating role; MSC operates at global scale across all fisheries while AFDF is the regional Alaska client.
• National Fisheries Institute: US trade association representing the broader seafood industry, including processors, distributors, and foodservice. Comparable as an industry-wide convener that works on sustainability, marketing, and policy issues for the seafood sector at a national scale, whereas AFDF is region-specific to Alaska.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alaska-fisheries-development
• Facebookfacebook.com/afdfish
• Xtwitter.com/afdf_org
• Instagraminstagram.com/afdf_org

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation