Unsupported Browser Detected

Internet Explorer lacks support for the features of this website. For the best experience, please use a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in California and the Gulf of Mexico

November 13, 2024

Two Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements will be open for public comment from November 22, 2024 through February 20, 2025. Join a public listening session to learn more.

A close up underwater image of Giant kelp. Giant kelp (Credit: Zachary Gold for NOAA.)

As part of NOAA’s mission to foster ocean sustainability while facilitating domestic aquaculture growth, NOAA is working to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas. These areas were evaluated for their potential environmental, economic, and social suitability to support multiple commercial aquaculture operations. This process is rooted in science and public engagement that will help the U.S. plan for aquaculture development.

Today, NOAA released two draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements for Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico that bring us one step closer to identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas. 

Southern California Aquaculture Opportunity Areas Identification Process 

In Southern California, NOAA experts identified up to ten proposed Aquaculture Opportunity Areas. Eight proposed Aquaculture Opportunity Areas are in the Santa Barbara Channel and two are in Santa Monica Bay, ranging in size from 500 to 2,000 acres each. The total of the proposed Aquaculture Opportunity areas amounts to 16,500 acres in Federal waters that are potentially suitable to support all kinds of aquaculture. 

Read the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement.

Comment on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Southern California 

Gulf of Mexico Aquaculture Opportunity Areas Identification Process 

In the Gulf of Mexico, NOAA experts identified four proposed Aquaculture Opportunity Areas. One proposed Aquaculture Opportunity Area is off the coast of Louisiana and three are off the coast of Texas, ranging in size from 500 to 2,000  acres each. The total of the proposed Aquaculture Opportunity Areas amounts to 6,500 acres in Federal waters that are potentially suitable for all kinds of aquaculture. 

View the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement.

Comment on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Gulf of Mexico

Learn more about Aquaculture Opportunity Areas.

Last updated by Office of Aquaculture on November 22, 2024