Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs), are defined geographic areas evaluated through both spatial analysis and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review processes that are determined to be environmentally, socially, and economically appropriate to support multiple commercial aquaculture operations. The size and location for AOAs will be determined through spatial analysis, Indigenous Knowledge, and public engagement. This will allow NOAA and the State of Alaska to identify areas that are appropriate for commercial aquaculture. NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science will provide spatial analysis support for Alaska AOA process. Site suitability analysis will use whole-ecosystem spatial modeling methods aimed at capturing best available data and stakeholder input. 

This is a multi-year process in which NOAA and the State of Alaska will work to analyze locations and identify AOAs in Alaska State waters to help sustainably advance aquaculture – also referred to in Alaska as mariculture.

For more information on AOAs, please visit the Office of Aquaculture’s National AOA page or the National AOA Fact Sheet.

AOAs in Alaska

During a 60-day public comment period in Fall 2020, Alaska received more letters of support than any other region including: 

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• Governor Mike Dunleavy
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game
• Alaska State Representative Louise Stutes
• Chugach Regional Resources Commission
• The Alaska Mariculture Task Force
• Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation
• Valdez Fisheries Development Association Inc.
• Southeast Conference
• Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference
• Prince William Sound Science Center
• Individuals (Erik Obrien and Thea Thomas)

On June 1, 2023, NOAA announced the beginning of the process to identify AOAs in Alaska state waters, in partnership with the State of Alaska. In Alaska, the effort to identify AOAs will be focused in state waters and NOAA will only consider invertebrate (e.g., shellfish, sea cucumber, etc) and seaweed farming. NOAA will not consider finfish aquaculture during identification of AOAs in Alaska because it is prohibited by state law.

NOAA will use advancements in science and a combination of mapping tools, which use the best available data and Indigenous Knowledge to account for key environmental, economic, social, and cultural considerations (e.g., fishing, protected areas, subsistence use) to identify areas that may support sustainable aquaculture development.

The identification of AOAs is a planning process. While identifying AOAs can help applicants with site selection and environmental analysis, it is not a preapproval for any location. Applicants for future aquaculture operations will still have to go through the full state and federal permitting processes.

Alaska is the third region where NOAA is pursuing the identification of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas, joining Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico.

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Background

NOAA has directives to preserve ocean sustainability and facilitate domestic aquaculture in the U.S. through the National Aquaculture Act of 1980, the NOAA Marine Aquaculture Policy, and Executive Order 13921, “Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth.” 

Identifying AOAs is an opportunity for proactive stewardship to use best available science-based guidance on sustainable aquaculture management. Aquaculture in AOAs will support environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This approach has been refined and used widely within states and by other countries with robust, sustainable aquaculture sectors.

NOAA has a variety of proven science-based tools and strategies that can be used to consider how and where to sustainably develop aquaculture. Aquaculture farms can complement wild-capture fisheries, provide ecosystem services, and be compatible with other human uses of the oceans and minimize environmental impacts. They can also boost development of our nation’s seafood processing and distribution infrastructure. 

NOAA Fisheries’ research activities for Alaska aquaculture have included oysters, seaweed, sea cucumbers, pinto abalone, weathervane scallops, and blue and red king crab. NOAA’s Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute in Juneau and the NOAA Kodiak Lab in Kodiak provide good research bases to support AOA identification in Alaska. Both sites have staff, small vessels, and analytical lab space available for aquaculture-related research, as well as ongoing research partnerships with seaweed and shellfish growers in each region. 

Considering NOAA-trust resources, subsistence uses and protection of culturally sensitive or sacred sites, State aquaculture development goals, and stakeholder uses of a defined area will help to encourage the sustainable growth of aquaculture by siting aquaculture farms in ways that minimize impacts to those natural resources and reduce user conflicts while maximizing public input in the AOA identification process.

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Request for Information

NOAA Fisheries invited public comment during a 60-day comment period on the identification of study areas, data, and analyses relevant to identifying AOAs in Alaska state waters. The public input provided in response to this Request For Information (RFI) will inform NOAA as it works with Federal, State, and Local agencies, appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils, and in coordination with appropriate Tribal governments to identify AOAs.

>Request for Information (Fall 2023)

>Download AOA RFI One-Pager (PDF)

>Presentation Slides: Alaska Request for Information

Listening Session Transcripts

>November 14, 2023

>November 15, 2023

>December 11, 2023

Final Study Areas

In March 2024, NOAA Fisheries and the Interagency Working Group selected 10 study areas for the next phase of the AOA selection process. These study areas were chosen based on proximity to existing infrastructure, historical ice cover, and public comments submitted during the RFI.

The 10 study areas can be viewed on the Final AOA Study Areas in Alaska Webpage.

Spatial Planning Workshops

NOAA held two AOA Spatial Planning Workshops to discuss the ongoing AOA identification process in Alaska state waters. The first workshop took place on February 26, 2024 in Anchorage, and the second on March 26 and 27, 2024 in Juneau. The workshops were an opportunity to: 

• Learn more about NOAA’s spatial planning approach and discuss available spatial data within Alaska AOA study areas
• Document data gaps under six ocean sectors, and help identify points of contact for additional data
• Increase transparency, local capacity, and resources to support seaweed and invertebrate aquaculture planning
• Further develop an engaged community to inform NOAA’s AOA identification process in Alaska state waters

Over 130 individuals attended the workshops. Participants across both events included Alaska Native community members, fishermen, aquaculture industry representatives, environmental organizations, scientists, subject matter experts, and State and Federal agency personnel. 

Workshop Presentations

• ANC Workshop Overview and Purpose (Feb 26, 2024)
• JNU Workshop Overview and Purpose (March 26, 2024)
• ANC/JNU Spatial Planning Approach for Alaska AOAs (Feb 26/March 26)
• JNU Day 2 Recap and Tribal Consultation Overview (March 27, 2024)

The workshop summary report is currently being drafted and will include a comprehensive list of the available data identified at the workshops, and a list of prioritized data gaps. Once finalized, it will be posted on this webpage.

Workshop Summary Report

The summary report presents key outputs from a two-part workshop series focused on AOA spatial planning in Alaska state waters. It includes a comprehensive list of the available data identified at the workshops, and a list of data gaps. 

• Alaska AOA Spatial Planning Workshops Summary Report

Timeline

The identification of AOAs in Alaska state waters is a multi-year planning process. 

June 2023

Announce Alaska as the next location to identify future Aquaculture Opportunity Areas

Summer 2023

Conduct outreach and begin data collection for modeling and siting analysis

Fall 2023 

Publish Request for Information, and develop preliminary maps of study areas

Winter/Spring 2023/2024

Review public comments and finalize study areas. Conduct workshops to present tribes, communities, and interested parties with preliminary data and seek feedback

Summer 2024 and Beyond

Refining spatial modeling and NEPA analysis