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AOA Public Engagement

AOA identification in Alaska is rooted in science and public engagement, which occurs at many phases during the planning process

Alaska

On This Page

Four squares containing counts of data gathering meetings, public meetings and listening sessions, workshops, and total participants

Current Opportunity to Engage

The current opportunity for public engagement in the Alaska AOA identification process is the Notice of Intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. This public comment period will be open for 45 days and we will be collecting comments through May 28, 2026.

close up of strand of kelp in water

 Public Engagement Timeline

public engagement timeline

 

Oct 2023: Request for information of study areas and available data

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. This included three listening sessions where the public was invited to ask questions and provide comments to NOAA staff. The public input provided in response to our invitations for comment informed NOAA as it worked with Federal, State, and Local agencies, appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils, and in coordination with appropriate Tribal governments to begin the AOA identification process.

In January 2024, NOAA Fisheries and the Interagency Working Group selected 10 final 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 Request for Information.

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

 

Feb-March 2024: Spatial planning workshops

NOAA held two AOA Spatial Planning Workshops in Anchorage and 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 and help identify points of contact for additional data
  • Increase transparency, local capacity, and resources to support seaweed and invertebrate aquaculture planning
  • 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 members, environmental organizations, researchers, and State and Federal agency personnel.

During the Juneau AOA Workshop in March 2024, NCCOS and NOAA Fisheries dedicated a day to a Tribal panel discussion to help elevate Alaska Native voices as part of the AOA identification process in Alaska. The Spatial Planning Workshop Summary Report highlights areas of concern and takeaways from Tribal members as well as next steps for NCCOS and NOAA Fisheries. 

Five people sit around a table talking and studying documents
Participants discuss spatial analysis questions at the February 2024 Spatial Planning Workshop in Anchorage. Photo Credit: NOAA Fisheries
blue oval with text "Notice of Availability on Draft AOA Options"

On April 23, 2025, NOAA published a Notice of Availability requesting public comment on the preliminary results of a marine spatial planning study including the identification of 97 Draft AOA Options in Alaska spanning over 18,000 acres in 10 AOA study areas. NOAA Fisheries requested comments regarding conditions, feasibility, and historic or current activities within or around the Alaska Draft AOA Options. Public comment period closed May 23, 2025.

In addition to the request for written comments, NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office held two listening sessions where the public was invited to provide oral comments for the record.

Three men hold juvenile oysters in their hands in Kodiak
NOAA Fisheries and Alaska Sea Grant work with local farmers in Kodiak on oyster research project.

 

April 2026: Notice of Intent to prepare the PEIS

On April 13, 2026, NOAA Fisheries NMFS published the Notice of Intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) on April 13, 2026.

The PEIS will evaluate the potential impacts of identifying one or more AOAs in state waters of the Gulf of Alaska and of siting aquaculture facilities (seaweed, shellfish) in those locations. This notice represents the beginning of the 45-day public comment period. Interested parties are invited to provide comments on preliminary alternatives, identify potential issues and concerns, and any reasonable additional alternatives.

We are proposing to analyze the impacts of two alternatives in the PEIS:

  • (Alternative 1) a no action alternative
  • (Alternative 2) identifying AOAs in one or more of the 77 AOA options described in the Atlas

How to Provide Comments by May 28, 2026

Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments at: www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2023-0113, 

Mail: Submit written information to: 
Jon Kurland, Regional Administrator, Attn: Records Office. 
Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.

Scoping Meetings & Oral Comment: 

April 22, 2026 |  Transcript Link

April 28, 2026 | Transcript Link
 

Next Steps

boxes read: 2027 draft PEIS released for public comment and 2028 final PEIS and decision document


The next opportunity to engage in the AOA identification process will be the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement anticipated in 2027. Please check back on this page and the AOA Overview Webpage for upcoming public engagement opportunities and updates on the AOAs in Alaska. 

Last updated by Alaska Regional Office on 05/26/2026