The Road to Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas

Today, NOAA identified 13 Aquaculture Opportunity Areas totaling more than 21,000 acres in U.S. federal waters of the Gulf of America and off Southern California.

This accomplishment marks the United States' most significant effort to support offshore aquaculture development. The multi-year process, rooted in science and public engagement, identified areas that may be suitable for developing multiple commercial aquaculture projects. These actions were called for in President Trump's 2020 Executive Order, " Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth ." This effort also supports the 2025 Executive Order, " Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness ."

"When farmed sustainably and based on sound science, as it is in the United States, aquaculture is good for people, the economy, and the environment," said Danielle Blacklock, Director of NOAA's Office of Aquaculture. "Aquaculture Opportunity Areas leverage NOAA's cutting-edge science and marine planning to identify spaces where aquaculture can grow sustainably. It's time to start putting more healthy U.S. farmed seafood on American dinner tables."

The 13 Aquaculture Opportunity Areas

The areas selected as Aquaculture Opportunity Areas represent the tip of the iceberg of opportunities in U.S. waters. Aquaculture developments are not limited to applying for permits within the Aquaculture Opportunity Areas identified. However, the final programmatic impact statements provide valuable data that will help inform siting, permitting, and environmental review.

In Southern California , NOAA experts identified 10 locations . Eight are in the Santa Barbara Channel and two are in Santa Monica Bay, ranging in size from 500 to 2,000 acres, totaling 16,500 acres. The document analyzes the impacts of various kinds of aquaculture and determines that these areas may be suitable for seaweed, shellfish, and finfish aquaculture.

In the Gulf of America , NOAA experts identified three locations off the coast of Texas, each ranging in size from 500 to 2,000 acres and totaling 4,500 acres. The final programmatic impact statement analyzes the impacts of various kinds of aquaculture and determines that these areas may be suitable for seaweed, shellfish, and finfish aquaculture.

Forthcoming baseline environmental surveys in the Gulf of America will provide detailed data on the benthic environment of these areas, further benefiting prospective aquaculture developers. At this depth, baseline environmental surveys can be resource-intensive for potential permit applicants. By shouldering the investment for these surveys, NOAA is benefiting future farm applicants in the Gulf.

The Most Comprehensive Marine Spatial Planning Effort Conducted in U.S. Waters

The two final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements build upon the work of the Aquaculture Opportunity Atlases for the Gulf of America and Southern California . Developed by NOAA's National Ocean Service, they represent the most comprehensive marine spatial analyses ever developed for a U.S. ocean space. While AOAs don't pre-permit farms, they represent a comprehensive scientific and spatial planning effort that can be referenced in future permitting and consultation actions.

NOAA also invested in many scientific products on topics-including biosecurity and disease, genetic risk, engineering, and economics-that leverage cutting-edge science for aquaculture. This will help ensure the highest level of sustainability for aquaculture development.

Stakeholder involvement has been a critical component of the Aquaculture Opportunity Area identification process. Since 2020, NOAA has held more than two dozen public meetings, participated in stakeholder mapping workshops, presented at trade and academic conferences, and published dozens of digital outreach materials aimed at engaging with and educating the public about the AOA identification process.

The two final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements follow the November 15, 2024, publication of two draft versions . We held a 90-day comment period and five listening sessions to solicit public comments on the drafts, which we evaluated and considered in the publication of these final documents.

Looking Towards the Future

NOAA is also working in partnership with the State of Alaska to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas within Alaska state waters . As finfish aquaculture in state waters is prohibited by law, this effort focuses on opportunities for seaweed and shellfish aquaculture. Alaska has more coastline than the lower 48 states combined, opening up near-endless opportunities for sustainable aquaculture development.

Marine aquaculture enhances coastal resilience, creates jobs, improves food security and human nutrition, and complements wild-capture fisheries. By identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas, NOAA is developing America-first seafood solutions. As this invaluable industry grows, NOAA's scientific expertise is paving the way towards a sustainable and productive future.