Mussel longline aquaculture, a type of aquaculture practised in the coastal ocean of California.
Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
NOAA Fisheries is inviting public feedback on proposed Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in the regions of Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico, as part of a nationwide effort to promote sustainable aquaculture while protecting marine ecosystems and supporting coastal communities.
In Southern California, NOAA has outlined up to 10 proposed AOAs, spanning a total of 16,500 acres. Eight locations are in the Santa Barbara Channel, while two are in Santa Monica Bay, each ranging from 500 to 2,000 acres. In the Gulf of Mexico, NOAA has identified four potential sites, totaling 6,500 acres, off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana.
NOAA’s initiative also includes plans to identify aquaculture sites in Alaska state waters.
The proposed AOAs are designed to support seaweed, shellfish, and potentially finfish aquaculture, the agency said, noting that NOAA’s initiative aligns with its mission to promote climate-smart food systems, bolster food security, and strengthen ocean stewardship.
"With climate change posing risks to America’s food security, aquaculture offers a pathway to grow climate resilience,” said NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit in a press release.
“Identifying areas suitable for sustainable aquaculture is a forward-looking step toward strengthening climate-smart food systems."
NOAA’s draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements (PEIS) for both regions reflect years of scientific analysis and public engagement, and the agency called their publication "a major milestone in NOAA’s multi-year initiative to identify areas that may be environmentally, socially and economically viable for supporting multiple commercial aquaculture operations".
To analyse and identify the most suitable sites, the agency developed 19 new scientific tools covering topics such as biosecurity, genetic risks, social vulnerability, and economic impacts. These efforts, along with detailed AOA atlases containing over 200 data layers, have shaped the proposed aquaculture opportunity areas, the agency explained.
“Since its inception, the aquaculture opportunity area process has been rooted in science and informed by public input,” said Danielle Blacklock, director of NOAA’s Office of Aquaculture.
“NOAA has made significant efforts to engage constituents each step of the way by soliciting comments and shaping our actions to best serve the American public," she added.
The draft PEIS documents are open for public comment from November 22, 2024, to February 20, 2025. Virtual listening sessions will be held for both regions, providing opportunities for stakeholders to share their perspectives, and the feedback received will guide the development of the final PEIS, NOAA said.
While these efforts provide critical data for potential aquaculture operators, NOAA points out that individual projects must still undergo thorough state and federal permitting processes before construction.
More information on the proposed AOAs and how to submit comments is available on NOAA’s website.