Aquaculture

Man stands on aquaculture pen for fish.

In the United States, marine aquaculture operates within one of the most comprehensive regulatory environments in the world. Projects that are sited in U.S. waters must meet a number of federal, state, and local regulations that ensure environmental protection, water quality, and healthy oceans.

NOAA Fisheries plays a central role in developing and implementing policies that enable marine aquaculture and works to ensure that aquaculture complies with existing federal laws and regulations that NOAA enforces under its marine stewardship mission.

Science and adaptive management inform NOAA policy, regulatory, and management decisions regarding aquaculture in marine waters.

Learn more about aquaculture national policies

Regulations

NOAA conducts regulatory activities for marine aquaculture under a suite of federal statutes designed to sustain healthy oceans. The agency also engages in consultations with other agencies that issue permits for aquaculture activities in state and federal waters.

The National Aquaculture Act of 1980 established aquaculture as a national policy priority for the United States and created the Interagency Working Group on Aquaculture as the institutional structure through which NOAA coordinates with other federal agencies on aquaculture-related activities.

Learn more:

• National Aquaculture Act of 1980

• NOAA's regulatory requirements

• Opportunities for more efficient commercial shellfish aquaculture permitting

NOAA has also implemented a Fishery Management Plan for Regulating Offshore Marine Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. This is the first comprehensive regional approach to authorizing aquaculture in federal waters. 

• Gulf Aquaculture Plan

Interagency Subcommittee on Aquaculture

NOAA is a co-chair of the Subcommittee on Aquaculture. The SCA serves as the Federal interagency coordinating group to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of Federal aquaculture research, regulation, technology transfer, and assistance programs. 

Learn More About the SCA:

• SCA Members
• SCA Task Force and Working Group
• National Strategic Plan For Federal Aquaculture Research

National Shellfish Initiative

The National Shellfish Initiative aims to increase populations of bivalve shellfish (oysters, clams, and mussels) in our nation’s coastal waters through commercial production and conservation activities. Efforts focus on encouraging shellfish aquaculture, advancing science and research, and streamlining permitting at federal, state, and local levels.

Inspired by this national initiative, the Washington State Shellfish Initiative was the first partnership of federal and state agencies, tribes, the shellfish industry, and the restoration community to restore and expand shellfish resources to promote shellfish aquaculture and create family-wage jobs.

Today there is a growing number of state shellfish initiatives including California, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Rhode Island. Alaska has also launched a mariculture initiative to expand both shellfish and seaweed farming in the state. 

Learn more about the National Shellfish Initiative

We are working to address the technical and scientific barriers of marine aquaculture and to provide science information for management in a number of ways, including through in-house research at NOAA, grants and cooperative agreements with Sea Grant and other stakeholders, and by coordinating research with other federal agencies.

Aquaculture Research at NOAA Fisheries

Several NOAA Fisheries Science Centers explore a wide spectrum of issues including the culture of specific species, life-cycle analysis, alternative feeds, ocean acidification, and habitat benefits and impacts. 

For example, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center Milford Laboratory, established in 1931, is located on the shore of Long Island Sound. The facility comprises two laboratory/office buildings and support buildings housing raceway and circular tanks. A 49-foot vessel, the R/V Victor Loosanoff, is also docked at the Laboratory for nearshore research. Present research emphasizes aquaculture and habitat-related work. The aquaculture program includes studies of the culture of fish and shellfish to develop methods suitable for commercial use as well as for stock enhancement and restoration. Nearshore habitats are being studied to determine what characteristics make a habitat suitable for a particular species.

Additionally, the Northwest Fisheries Science Center Environmental and Fisheries Science Division conducts research to improve methods for fisheries restoration and production in conservation hatcheries and in aquaculture. Research focuses on the effects of ocean acidification on shellfish, shellfish safety (harmful algal blooms and pathogens), and native Olympia oyster restoration. Lab research also includes alternative marine fish feeds, larval fish physiology and nutrition. 

At the NOAA Beaufort Laboratory, scientists from NOAA Fisheries and National Ocean Service conduct a variety of research including harmful algal blooms, seafloor mapping, and aquaculture. 

Explore Aquaculture Research 

NOAA has marine aquaculture research capabilities at in-house laboratories within the Fisheries Service and the Ocean Service, and research and extension capabilities through state Sea Grant programs. This story map covers the in-house projects funded by the NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture. The research explores a wide spectrum of relevant issues including the culture of specific species, life-cycle analysis, alternative feeds, ocean acidification, and potential habitat benefits and impacts. This Story Map serves as a tool to highlight NOAA's aquaculture research and as well as to connect researchers with topics of common interest. It is updated periodically as new projects are planned and implemented.

Explore the NOAA aquaculture research story map

Funding Research and Technology

Since 1998, NOAA has funded aquaculture projects through the Sea Grant Marine Aquaculture grant program, a competitive grants program coordinated by the National Sea Grant College Program. Several other grant opportunities are administered or funded through NOAA Fisheries. Together these grants have funded projects that have responded to key scientific, engineering, environmental, and economic questions such as studies of candidate species, health and nutrition, best management practices, ecosystems monitoring and management, engineered production systems, and legal and operational frameworks.

Learn more about Sea Grant aquaculture grants

Learn more about NOAA Fisheries grant opportunities for aquaculture 

Search current funding opportunities 

Aquaculture is present along our coasts and in our oceans across the nation. Activities and products vary by region so we have regional coordinators supporting these activities and increasing awareness of region-specific issues.

Alaska

The Alaska mariculture industry produces shellfish and aquatic plants along Alaska’s coastline. As of 2016, mariculture activity in Alaska consists of approximately 75 operations, including 65 authorized farms, seven nurseries, and three hatcheries. Most operations are located along the coastline in either Southeast or Southcentral Alaska.

New England/Mid-Atlantic

The New England/Mid-Atlantic region has a commercial marine aquaculture industry supported by a research and technology sector. Landings from marine aquaculture (predominantly Atlantic Salmon and oysters, but also clams, mussels, and other species) totaled approximately $219 million in this region in 2013. This makes aquaculture the third most valuable fishery in the region in terms of economic revenue, behind scallops and American lobster.

Farmed items in New England and the Mid-Atlantic include finfish, shellfish, and sea vegetables grown as food for human consumption. Hatchery-raised species are also used habitat (e.g., oyster) and endangered species (e.g., Atlantic salmon) restoration.

Learn more about aquaculture in the New England and the Mid-Atlantic

Northwest

In the Pacific Northwest, we work closely with regional tribes, the states of Washington, Oregon, and California, the aquaculture industry and non-governmental organizations on fish, shellfish, and algae species. Washington State is our nation's leading producer of farmed shellfish. The region primarily grows oysters, mussels, clam, as well as Atlantic and Pacific salmon species. 

We also work with partners to responsibly restore populations of native Olympia oysters, pinto abalone, and Pacific salmon. Aquaculture-related research at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center focuses on the effects of ocean acidification on shellfish, shellfish safety (harmful algal blooms and pathogens), and native Olympia oyster restoration.  

Learn more about aquaculture in the Northwest

Pacific Islands

The Pacific Islands region primarily grows finfish, such as kampachi (Seriola rivoliana), shrimp, and marine algae for commercial purposes.

Learn more about aquaculture in the Pacific Islands 

Southeast

In the southeast, marine aquaculture focuses on stock enhancement, food production, research, and restoration efforts. Species cultured in the region include oysters, clams, red drum, spotted seatrout, flounder, snook, pompano, black seabass, and algae. Aquaculture occurs on land in recirculating systems or ponds as well as in coastal areas or state waters. We have also provided funding for projects related to culture of red snapper, blackfin tuna, cobia, and baitfish species as well as for research into alternative diets for marine finfish.

Learn more about aquaculture in the Southeast

Southwest

California primarily grows Pacific oysters, Kumamoto oysters, and manila clams for commercial purposes, with lesser amounts of Mediterranean mussels, Atlantic oysters, red abalone, rock scallops, and seaweed. Research in the Southwest focuses on abalone recovery at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center and Olympia oyster restoration by various sectors of academia, primarily in the San Francisco Bay area.

Learn more about aquaculture in the Southwest

We collaborate with international partners on a broad range of activities related to research, technology development, and management of marine aquaculture. International cooperation is essential for NOAA to meet many of its goals to advance marine aquaculture in the United States. Working with other nations in areas of mutual interest allows NOAA to leverage the expertise, research advancements, and regulatory approaches of its international partners.

Benefits of International Cooperation

Our international work on marine aquaculture research and management is focused on achieving four goals:

Royal bream raised in floating net off the coast of France. 

• Encourage and foster a sustainable U.S. aquaculture industry.
• Promote global environmental stewardship.
• Support human health and well-being.
• Improve global and domestic seafood security.

International collaboration can take many forms, such as supporting exchanges with international researchers, developing regional aquaculture management agreements, and providing trade and industry services. Such collaboration can help achieve our international goals through:

• Greater access to scientific and management expertise.
• Cost-sharing for joint initiatives.
• Expanded market access for U.S. products, equipment, and technologies.
• Improved safety and sustainability of imported seafood.
• Increased conservation of marine resources.
• Accelerated development and transfer of new technologies and practices.
• Development of scientific exchange communities and networks that include industry and nongovernmental organization participants.

Key Partnerships

The Office of Aquaculture works on a variety of international treaty obligations and bilateral/trilateral arrangements and through a variety of international organizations. Key partnerships include:

• International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
• International Organization for Standardization
• North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization
• World Organization for Animal Health
• North Pacific Marine Science Organization
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
• Codex Alimentarius

Bilateral Agreements

NOAA Fisheries regularly holds consultations with many countries and fishing entities to exchange views and enlist support for U.S. aquaculture, fisheries trade, and management initiatives. The U.S. government currently has bilateral agreements with:

• Canada
• Chile
• China
• European Union
• France
• Japan
• Korea
• Mexico
• Morocco
• Norway