Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska

AOAs are defined geographic areas evaluated through both spatial analysis and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review processes that may be environmentally, socially, and economically appropriate to support multiple commercial aquaculture operations.

The size and location of potential AOAs is determined through spatial analysis, Indigenous Knowledge, and public engagement. This will allow NOAA and the State of Alaska to identify areas that may be appropriate for commercial aquaculture. NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science is providing spatial planning support for the Alaska AOA process. Spatial modeling is a powerful tool for understanding ocean ecosystems and the interactions of human uses and natural resources aimed at capturing the best available data and public input.

NOAA and the State of Alaska are working to analyze locations and identify AOAs in Alaska state waters to help sustainably advance aquaculture – also referred to in Alaska as mariculture.

For more information on AOAs, please visit the Office of Aquaculture’s National AOA page or the National AOA Fact Sheet.

AOA Process Roadmap

The identification of AOAs in Alaska state waters is a multi-year planning process. The roadmap walks you through each step of the process. 

• Alaska AOA Roadmap Webpage

Why Was Alaska Selected?

During a 60-day public comment period in Fall 2020, Alaska received more letters of support than any other region to start the AOA identification process.

On June 1, 2023, NOAA announced the beginning of the process to identify AOAs in Alaska state waters, in partnership with the State of Alaska. In Alaska, the effort to identify AOAs will be focused in state waters and NOAA will only consider shellfish and seaweed farming. NOAA will not consider finfish aquaculture during identification of AOAs in Alaska because it is prohibited by state law.

NOAA is using science and a combination of mapping tools, which use the best available data and Indigenous Knowledge to account for key environmental, economic, social, and cultural considerations (e.g., fishing, protected areas, subsistence use) to identify areas that may support sustainable aquaculture development.

The identification of AOAs is a planning process. While identifying AOAs can help applicants with site selection and environmental analysis, it is not a preapproval for any location. Applicants for future aquaculture operations will still have to go through the full state and federal permitting processes.

Alaska is the third region where NOAA is pursuing the identification of AOAs, joining Southern California and the Gulf of America.

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Background

Identifying AOAs is an opportunity for proactive stewardship to use best available science-based guidance on sustainable aquaculture management. Aquaculture in AOAs will support environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This approach has been refined and used widely within states and by other countries with robust, sustainable aquaculture sectors.

NOAA has a variety of proven science-based tools and strategies that can be used to consider how and where to sustainably develop aquaculture. Aquaculture farms can complement wild-capture fisheries, provide ecosystem services, and be compatible with other human uses of the oceans and minimize environmental impacts. They can also boost development of our nation’s seafood processing and distribution infrastructure. 

To maximize public input and reduce user conflict, NOAA is considering a wide variety of factors in identifying AOAs. These include NOAA Trust resources, current subsistence uses, the protection of culturally significant sites, and Alaska state aquaculture development goals, among many others. Through extensive public engagement, NOAA is working to encourage sustainable aquaculture growth while best meeting the needs of the Alaskan public.

NOAA has directives to preserve ocean sustainability and facilitate domestic aquaculture in the U.S. through the National Aquaculture Act of 1980, the NOAA Marine Aquaculture Policy, and Executive Order 13921, “Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth.” 

Public Engagement

Public engagement is essential to the AOA identification process. We invite you to join one of the upcoming Alaska AOA Public Meetings (see below) to learn more, ask questions, and provide input. Please visit our AOA Public Engagement Website for additional information.

Upcoming public engagement opportunities

• Alaska AOA Notice of Availability Sign-Up for Virtual Public Meetings  
  • May 8, 2025 | 2 PM to 4 PM Alaska Time (6 PM to 8 PM EST)
  • May 16, 2025 | 9 AM to 11 AM Alaska Time (1 PM to 3 PM EST)

Past public engagement opportunities 

• Alaska AOA Spatial Planning Workshops (Feb - March 2024)  
  • Alaska AOA Spatial Planning Workshops Summary Report
• Alaska AOA Request for Information Virtual Public Meeting Transcripts (Nov - Dec 2023)
  • November 14, 2023
  • November 15, 2023
  • December 11, 2023

News and Announcements

• NOAA Fisheries and State of Alaska Release Summary Report for Aquaculture Opportunity Area Spatial Planning Workshops (August 2024)
• NOAA Fisheries Publishes Request for Information on Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska (October 2023)
• NOAA Fisheries Selects Alaska to Begin Aquaculture Opportunity Area Identification (June 2023)