NOAA Fisheries released the Alaska Aquaculture Opportunity Area Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Public Scoping Summary Report.
This report summarizes input received during the public scoping period on the Notice of Intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement considering identification of one or more Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska state waters.
The public scoping process provided an opportunity for input from Tribes, communities, agencies, organizations, industry, and members of the public. They shared perspectives on the scope of the environmental review, potential alternatives, and issues NOAA Fisheries should consider.
Perspectives from Public Scoping
Following the release of the Notice of Intent, NOAA Fisheries held a public scoping period running from April 13 to May 28, 2026. It featured two virtual scoping sessions designed to facilitate public engagement and input.
We received 20 written and verbal submissions from Tribal entities, members of the general public, non-governmental organizations, and city or borough representatives.
The scoping report summarizes the perspectives and the primary themes raised during this stage of the process in more detail. Comments reflected a range of perspectives on the proposed action and potential alternatives, potential impacts of aquaculture, and the role of Tribal consultation and Indigenous Knowledge.
This publication represents an important step in NOAA Fisheries' ongoing environmental review process. Public input informs the development of alternatives and the scope of analysis for the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DPEIS).
What’s next?
The release of the report marks an important step in the broader Alaska Aquaculture Opportunity Area process. NOAA Fisheries and its cooperating agencies will continue developing the DPEIS, considering public input received during scoping alongside input from cooperating agencies and Tribal partners, Tribal consultations, and the best available scientific information.
There will be another opportunity for the public to provide input when we publish the DPEIS. We expect to publish the DPEIS in spring 2027 and will continue to provide updates as the environmental review process moves forward.
Learn more about NOAA’s efforts to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska state waters.
