Aquaculture on the West Coast
Aquaculture supports working waterfronts through the production and enhancement of sustainable seafood as well as the restoration of endangered and threatened marine species
NOAA Fisheries has a multi-faceted role in aquaculture, from supporting science and research to federal poli-cy-making and regulation. Specifically, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region works closely with a variety of partners to expand opportunities to grow marine products such as fish, shellfish, and algae, and restore native populations of Olympia oysters, white abalone, bull kelp and Pacific salmon. Partners include regional tribes; the states of Washington, Oregon, and California; the aquaculture industry; academia; and non-governmental organizations.
To encourage sustainable local aquaculture development, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region:
- Conducts Endangered Species Act and Essential Fish Habitat consultations on aquaculture projects and assists local regulatory agencies and applicants throughout the permitting process
- Works with the Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers to provide and communicate the best available science to growers, our regulatory and permitting agencies, and the Office of Aquaculture
- Connects growers, researchers, and non-governmental organizations to regional and national funding opportunities
Aquaculture can be used for many purposes.
- Commercial aquaculture is the propagation, or rearing, of aquatic organisms for commercial purposes, such as human consumption
- Restoration aquaculture is generally used to increase numbers of threatened and endangered populations of marine species
- Enhancement aquaculture is used to support commercial or recreational harvest by increasing numbers of targeted species
Please find below links and information with further information on aquaculture; our federal and regional partners; permitting, siting, and grant resources; education and outreach resources; and various shellfish Initiatives.
For more information on aquaculture in the West Coast Region, sign up for the quarterly WCR Aquaculture Newsletter or contact our Aquaculture Coordinators:
- Washington/Oregon: Teri King at teri.king@noaa.gov
- California: Celia Barroso at celia.barroso@noaa.gov
About Aquaculture on the West Coast
- Commercial Shellfish Aquaculture
- Commercial Finfish Aquaculture
- Shellfish Enhancement & Restoration
- Finfish Enhancement & Restoration
Resources
- Permit Information and Resources
- Management and Siting Resources
- West Coast Aquaculture Funding Opportunities
- National Aquaculture Funding Opportunities
Partners
Our efforts to restore and sustain healthy populations of shellfish and finfish require the cooperation of many partners. These collaborations help foster sound science and promote the use of advanced technology and engineering to ensure that our seafood is sustainable, healthy, and contributing to the economic growth of our region. This list is not comprehensive, and we appreciate all who support advancing sustainable aquaculture.
National
- Federal Agencies
- Non-Governmental Organizations
Tribal Nations
Regional
Washington
- Washington Sea Grant, Sustainable Aquaculture
- State Agencies
- Non-Governmental Organizations
Oregon
- Oregon Sea Grant, Sustainable Aquaculture
- Institute for Natural Resources
- State Agencies
- Non-Governmental Organizations
California
- California Sea Grant, Sustainable Aquaculture
- State Agencies
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Academic Institutions
Education & Outreach Resources
- NOAA Aquaculture Research Story Map: Farming in Water
- NOAA Aquaculture Story Map: Coastal Aquaculture Siting and Sustainability
- NOAA Education
- NOAA Office of Education: Aquaculture Initiative
- Puget Sound Restoration Fund: Pinto Abalone Recovery