NOAA Scouts Alaska Waters for Future Fish Farms
Published Date: 4/13/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA and Alaska agencies are teaming up to find the best spots for aquaculture (fish farming) in Alaska’s Gulf waters. They’re starting a big study to understand how these areas might affect the environment and want your thoughts by May 28, 2026. This is just planning—no farms or permits yet—but it could lead to new seafood opportunities and jobs in the future.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
Planning for Aquaculture Could Spur Local Growth
NOAA and Alaska agencies are preparing a two-year programmatic environmental study (PEIS) beginning April 13, 2026 to evaluate identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in Gulf of Alaska state waters. The stated goals include promoting seafood competitiveness, food security, and economic growth, and the PEIS could inform future commercial shellfish and seaweed aquaculture development in Alaska.
Cultural and Community Impacts Will Be Evaluated
The PEIS will analyze potential impacts on Alaska Native resources, cultural practices, and archaeological resources, and will consider social and economic effects on fishing sectors and Alaska coastal communities. If you are part of an Alaska Native or coastal community, the study will discuss possible impacts to cultural and community resources.
Atlas Identifies 77 AOA Options Covering 13,031 Acres
A NOAA technical Atlas published February 19, 2026 identifies 77 final Aquaculture Opportunity Area options totaling 13,031 acres (5,273 hectares) across Southeast, Southcentral, and Southwest Alaska (53 options in Southeast, 9 in Southcentral, 15 in Southwest). These mapped options may be considered in the PEIS when selecting areas to evaluate.
Finfish Aquaculture Is Excluded in Alaska
The PEIS will not consider finfish aquaculture because finfish aquaculture is prohibited by Alaska state law; the AOA identification will focus on shellfish, seaweed, or combinations of these species. If you planned finfish aquaculture in Alaska state waters, it is excluded from this analysis.
Future Projects Would Still Need Federal and State Permits
The notice states that neither the PEIS nor any final decision will authorize specific aquaculture projects; any future aquaculture operations within an AOA would be required to comply with federal and state laws and obtain permits and consultations (for example, under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Magnuson-Stevens Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and National Historic Preservation Act).
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