What is happening:
On September 19, 2025, a notice was published in the Federal Register (90 FR 45206, September 19, 2025) announcing the availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (FPEIS) for the Identification of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOA) in U.S. Federal Waters of the Gulf of America. This FPEIS supports NOAA Fisheries' decision to identify three AOAs in federal waters of the Gulf of America, off the Texas coast.
The publication of the FPEIS and identification of AOAs concludes a multi-year planning effort to identify areas that may be environmentally, socially, and economically suitable for offshore aquaculture development in the Gulf of America.
This cross-agency effort continues advancing the objectives of President Trump’s 2020 Executive Order “Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth” and supports the 2025 Executive Order “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness”. This work aims to enhance regulatory efficiency and help to reduce the seafood trade deficit by empowering U.S. aquaculture production.
The three AOAs identified in federal waters of the Gulf of America range in size from 500 to 2,000 acres, and are potentially suitable to support finfish, seaweed, shellfish, and multispecies aquaculture operations. For more information about how NOAA Fisheries utilized a combination of scientific review, spatial analysis, and public input to identify these areas, visit the Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Federal Waters of the Gulf of America website.
Where can I learn more about Aquaculture Opportunity Areas:
- NOAA Aquaculture Opportunity Areas
- Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Federal Waters of the Gulf of America
- Maps Depicting the Three Gulf AOAs in the Gulf
- Public Involvement
FAQs about Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in the Gulf of America
Sign Up For Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings And Closures
NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time.
Text alerts you may receive include:
- Immediate fishery openings and closures
- Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly
Sign up for one or more of the following groups:
- Gulf of America Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
- Gulf of America Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
- Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text CARIBFISH to 888777
Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office
Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers. Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application. The mailbox will be checked daily. For more information, contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.
Other contacts:
Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750
Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan 727-885-4202
