AOA Public Engagement
AOA identification in Alaska is rooted in science and public engagement, which occurs at many phases during the planning process
Current Opportunity to Engage
Our Notice of Availability webpage has all the information you need to engage in the current step of the AOA process.
Public Engagement Timeline
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.
- Request for Information Webpage (Fall 2023)
- Presentation Slides: Alaska Request for Information
- Listening Sessions:
- Tuesday, November 14, 2023 | Transcript Link
- Wednesday, November 15, 2023 | Transcript Link
- Monday, December 11, 2023 | Transcript Link
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.
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.
- ANC Workshop Overview and Purpose (Feb 26, 2024)
- JNU Workshop Overview and Purpose (March 26, 2024)
- ANC/JNU Spatial Planning Approach for Alaska AOAs Presentation (Feb 26/March 26)
- Alaska AOA Spatial Planning Workshops Summary Report
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 Draft AOA Options in Alaska. Comments can be submitted on the Regulations.gov website. Questions to consider when submitting comments are available in the Notice. NOAA Fisheries requests comments regarding conditions, feasibility, and historic or current activities within or around the Alaska Draft AOA Options. Comments are due on or before May 23, 2025.
In addition to the request for written comments, NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office will hold two listening sessions where the public is invited to provide oral comments that will be entered into the record.
Listening Sessions & Oral Comments:
Two virtual listening sessions are scheduled for Alaska and the meeting links are available below. Transcripts and associated slides will be available after the meetings.
- Thursday, May 8, 2025 | 2 PM to 4 PM Alaska Time (6 PM to 8 PM EST) | Registration Link
- Friday, May 16, 2025 | 9 AM to 11 AM Alaska Time (1 PM to 3 PM EST) | Registration Link
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Next Steps
There will continue to be opportunities to engage in the AOA identification process after the AOA Options are finalized in Summer 2025. Opportunities including the upcoming Notice of Intent to Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (planned for Fall 2025), and the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement in 2026. Please check back on this page and the AOA Overview Webpage for upcoming public engagement opportunities and updates on the AOAs in Alaska