On June 1, 2023 NOAA announced the beginning of a process to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in Alaska state waters focusing on sustainable invertebrates (shellfish, sea cucumber, etc.) and seaweed aquaculture. NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) is working with our federal and state partners to conduct spatial modeling in support of this effort. NCCOS employed a combination of spatial mapping approaches, scientific review, and public input gathered through a recently published Request for Information (RFI) to narrow down the study areas that will be the focus of the spatial analysis. Following study area selection, NCCOS is using best available spatial data and Indigenous Knowledge to account for key environmental, economic, social, and cultural considerations to support the identification of areas of high suitability for aquaculture within Alaska state waters. In this presentation, NCCOS will provide updates on our progress to-date to develop a spatial model to support the identification of an AOA in Alaska state waters, including continued opportunities for stakeholder input into the process.