Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Now Available
On September 19, 2025, NOAA Fisheries published a Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (FPEIS) for the Identification of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in U.S. Federal Waters of the Gulf of America and announced its decision to identify three AOAs in federal waters off the Texas coast.
Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Gulf of America)
What is an AOA?
An AOA is a defined geographic area that has been evaluated to determine its potential suitability for commercial aquaculture.
NOAA Fisheries used a combination of scientific analysis and public engagement to identify AOAs that may be environmentally, socially, and economically suitable for commercial aquaculture.
AOAs may only be identified by NOAA Fisheries after completion of a final programmatic environmental impact statement and issuance of a decision, in accordance with NEPA.
Visit NOAA Fisheries National AOA website for more information on the AOA process.
What is the Goal of and Need For Identifying AOAs?
The goal of identifying AOAs is to promote American seafood competitiveness, food security, economic growth, and support the development of domestic commercial aquaculture, consistent with sustaining and conserving marine resources and applicable laws, regulations and policies.
Supporting the directives of Executive Order 13921, Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth (May 7, 2020; 85 FR 28471, May 12, 2020), and Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness (April 17, 2025; 90 FR 16993, April 22, 2025) identifying AOAs will help to address the increasing demand for seafood; inform long-term planning for marine aquaculture development; and address interests and concerns regarding offshore marine aquaculture siting.
Expanding sustainable seafood production, both wild-capture and aquaculture, is a key investment in the blue economy. NOAA is committed to developing marine aquaculture as a resource-efficient method of increasing and diversifying U.S. seafood production that can expand and stabilize U.S. seafood supply in the face of environmental change and economic uncertainty.
NOAA Fisheries developed programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to consider identifying one or more Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in U.S. federal waters of the Gulf that may be suitable for marine finfish, shellfish, macroalgae or multi-species aquaculture operations. The PEIS also evaluated the potential impacts and benefits associated with siting aquaculture in those locations, which could occur through future proposals and project level review.
A Public Planning Process
The intent of this PEIS is to support long-term planning for offshore aquaculture. The PEIS is not a regulatory or permitting action and does not propose to authorize or permit any specific aquaculture-related activities or individual aquaculture operations.
Download AOA One-Pager (PDF)
Download AOA One-Pager (Spanish PDF)
Download AOA One-Pager (Vietnamese PDF)
Cooperating Agencies
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Air Force are cooperating agencies on this DPEIS.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and U.S. Coast Guard are providing expertise and technical assistance in support of this DPEIS.
For More Information
Contact Andrew Richard, Southeast Regional Aquaculture Coordinator, at nmfs.ser.aquaculture@noaa.gov or (727) 551-5709.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf may call the Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Federal Register Notices
Notice of Availability - FPEIS (90 FR 45206, 2025)
Notice of Availability - DPEIS (89 FR 92681, 2024)
Notice of Intent to Prepare PEIS (87 FR 33124, 2022)
Resources
*Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. On August 7, 2025, NOAA Fisheries and the National Ocean Service amended regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the renaming. The name change did not result in any changes to, and had no effect on the applicability or enforceability of, any existing regulations. This website continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” when quoting statutes or previously published materials.
