Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in U.S. Waters
Published Date: 7/30/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA is issuing this request for information (RFI) to collect information to help identify the next geographic region(s) of focus for Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOA) identification. On May 7, 2020, the White House issued an Executive Order (E.O.) on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth, which requires the Secretary of Commerce to identify geographic areas containing locations suitable for commercial aquaculture. These geographic areas are referred to as AOAs. NOAA requests data, comments, views, information, analysis, or suggestions from the public to support the identification of AOAs in U.S. waters, including geographic areas of focus. NOAA requests that interested parties provide relevant information on the identification of areas within U.S. waters for future AOAs. The public input provided in response to this RFI will inform NOAA as it works with other Federal agencies, Regional Fishery Management Councils, and in coordination with state, jurisdictional and tribal governments to identify AOAs nationally. NOAA will combine input received through consultation and coordination with Federal and non-Federal stakeholders, comments on this notice, and spatial analyses by NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), to help identify the next geographic area(s) to focus on for AOA identification. Please respond to the questions in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section, as appropriate.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
AOA identification timetable set
NOAA is carrying out the Executive Order direction to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) on a set schedule: within 1 year of E.O. 13921 identify at least two areas, and within 2 years of identifying each area complete a Programmatic NEPA Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). For each of the following four years NOAA will identify two additional areas and complete a PEIS for each within 2 years.
AOA status does not skip permits
If NOAA designates an Aquaculture Opportunity Area, that designation alone does not permit farms there. Any aquaculture operation proposed inside an AOA must still obtain the same Federal and state permits and authorizations required elsewhere and may need site-specific environmental surveys and additional NEPA beyond the programmatic EIS.
AOAs already identified in CA and AK
NOAA identified 13 AOAs totaling more than 21,000 acres in U.S. Federal waters of the Gulf of America and off Southern California on September 19, 2025. On February 19, 2026, NCCOS published an Atlas for Alaska identifying 77 options (ranging from 50 to 2,000 acres) across 10 study areas in Gulf of Alaska state waters.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-15294, Implementation of Fish and Fish Product Import Provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act
NMFS is soliciting public input to inform potential revisions to the implementing regulations pursuant to the import provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). NMFS is initiating a comprehensive review of the import regulations to increase efficiency of the program while ensuring that the objectives of the statute are met.
2026-15309, New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on August 11-12, 2026, to discuss important rules for fishing Atlantic herring and other fish in New England waters. They’ll review science updates, set fishing limits for 2027-2031, and plan how to manage risks better. This affects fishermen, seafood businesses, and coastal communities by shaping how much fish can be caught and when.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15433, Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Next: 2026-15436, Raw Honey From Argentina: Amended Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Notice of Correction; 2023-2024
The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) is amending the final results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty (AD) order on raw honey from Argentina. The period of review (POR) is June 1, 2023, through May 31, 2024.