Seeding kelp farms to protect salmon, people and climate

Dune Lankard can think like a fish — he’s had a lot of practice.

Born into a fishing family in south-central Alaska, Lankard has spent his entire life as a subsistence and commercial fisherman.

This Alaska Native’s life, family and culture are all deeply connected to marine habitats and the sustenance they provide, especially salmon. This coastal bounty includes — and, in fact, depends on — kelp.

“Kelp is an important thing to have in our oceans,” Lankard said. “Not only does it sequester carbon, but it creates habitat cover for all of the juvenile species that wouldn’t make it if they didn’t have that kelp forest to hide in.”

Lankard serves as the executive director of a nonprofit called the Native Conservancy. He and other local leaders are rallying to help entrepreneurs launch kelp farms along the coast of Alaska to benefit Pacific salmon, people and the climate.

“For an indigenous person, it’s a wonderful food source, because it has numerous nutrients and 14 different vitamins. Some kelp species have 10 times more calcium than milk.”

In 2022, NFWF awarded a grant to the Native Conservancy to develop 20 kelp farms along 6,400 miles of coastline, train a local workforce to steward the kelp beds, and provide internships for young Alaska Natives.

“As a fisherman, I’m really concerned about the state of the ocean,” Lankard said, “and I’m really happy that kelp can help.”