NOAA is providing notification that we are seeking public input on identification of study areas, data, and analyses relevant to identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in Alaska state waters via a 60-day public comment period.
The public input provided in response to this Request for Information (RFI) will inform NOAA as it works in coordination with appropriate Tribal Organizations, State and Federal agencies, and appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils to identify geographic areas that will be considered in more depth through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. To identify each AOA, NOAA will use a combination of powerful data-driven siting analysis using hundreds of types of data on ocean uses, public input, and NEPA review. The synthesis of these elements will highlight space that is environmentally, socially, and economically appropriate for commercial aquaculture.
The AOA announcement, supporting materials, and links to the RFI are available on the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region site at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/request-information-identifying-aquaculture-opportunity-areas-alaska.
For any questions about the RFI, please contact Alicia Bishop at alicia.bishop@noaa.gov.
