NOAA released two scientific atlases this week that will help the agency determine where to establish aquaculture opportunity areas (AOAs) in the Gulf of Mexico and Southern California – the first step in boosting aquaculture development in federal waters in those regions.
The agency first identified these regions as potential AOA locations in August 2020, following an executive order from then-U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at increasing domestic aquaculture production by establishing 10 AOAs by 2025.
"The aquaculture atlases apply the latest ocean data and information to advance sustainable business development," U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo said. "This will help us continue to sustainably support the blue economy, which provides clear benefits for our country, our economy, and the planet."
Each atlas was developed using more than 200 data layers accounting for key environmental, economic, social, and cultural considerations, including fishing interests and marine protected areas.
“These are the most-advanced spatial analyses ever performed for any U.S. ocean regions,” NOAA National Ocean Service Assistant Administrator Nicole LeBoeuf said. “The atlases are powerful scientific tools that will help advance food security for all Americans and improve sustainable food production, which is critical for the economic and environmental resilience of our coastal communities.”
The Gulf of Mexico study identified nine potential AOA locations out of a possible 29,839 locations throughout the gulf. The southern California bight study identified 10 potential AOA locations out of 296 areas studied. Each site was studied to determine its suitability for aquaculture, while also reducing conflicts with other ocean uses like fishing and the habits of protected species.
While these atlases represent a huge step forward in aquaculture development in federal waters in these regions, the decision to identify an AOA will only be made after completion of the National Environmental Policy Act Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, which will assess the impacts of launching aquaculture facilities in different potential locations. Proposed aquaculture development will still need to go through the appropriate permitting process.
“Aquaculture opportunity areas will foster the development of U.S. aquaculture as a needed complement to our wild capture fisheries resources,” NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit said. “Using a combination of scientific analysis, aquaculture opportunity atlases, and public engagement, NOAA is identifying defined geographic areas that are environmentally, socially, and economically appropriate for commercial aquaculture.”
While the research methods used to develop these atlases were designed specifically to inform the AOA selection process, NOAA believes its process could be tailored and used in the future to inform ocean planning and coastal management.
Photo courtesy of Ammatar
