AQUACULTURE OPPORTUNITY AREAS: A NEW APPROACH TO U.S. AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT

 With a new vision and strategic plan to support aquaculture development, NOAA is leading a shift-change in U.S. aquaculture development through the identification of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs).  The search for AOAs in U.S. waters is a planning process, not a regulatory process,

to identify defined geographic areas  that are environmentally, socially, and economically appropriate for commercial aquaculture. By pursuing AOAs, we increase the confidence of both entrepreneurs and regulators via proactive planning measures that inform the permitting and environmental review process es for projects  proposed to be sited within an AOA.

The process to identify potential AOA siting options and complete a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for each AOA will rely on the best-available scientific information and  involve  extensive public engagement. AOAs are intended to minimize interactions of aquaculture development with other ocean uses and  important environmental resources, maintaining

NOAA’s commitment to ocean stewardship.  NOAA will provide updates on our progress towards identifying the first two geographic areas containing locations suitable for commercial aquaculture, drafting the PEIS for each of those two areas, and the opportunities for  stakeholder input into the process.